But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. How we check

Susan Collins

Republican · U.S. Senate, Maine
✗Supported sending weapons or funding in 10 of 10 tracked votes

Collins backs U.S. military aid to the government of Israel. "No way," she answered, asked on Fox News in June 2026 whether she was reconsidering her support of Israel amid opposition to AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobbying group. She wants UNRWA, the Palestinian refugee agency, permanently cut off from U.S. money.

✉  Email the campaign✆  Call DC officeWebsite ↗X ↗Instagram ↗

The email has replies@butwhatcanyoudo.org in cc, so we can post their answer on their page in their own words; remove it if you prefer. Keep the subject line as it is, add your name, and send.

Deep Dive

Collins, Maine's senior senator and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has voted against every resolution that sought to block arms sales to the government of Israel, and she has explained her support in her own words. In May 2024 she and the late Sen. Lindsey Graham demanded answers about paused munitions shipments.

In February 2024 floor remarks she itemized what the supplemental sends: "this bill fully funds the budget request to support Israel in the war against Hamas. It includes $5.2 billion for Israel's missile defense programs, including Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Iron Beam." It also included foreign military financing for Israel.

Her position on U.S. money to Palestinians is specific and she has stated both halves: the same floor remarks note the bill's "outright prohibition" on payments to UNRWA and add, "We can distribute that humanitarian assistance through other organizations." Her January 2024 statement said U.S. funding for UNRWA "should not continue" until Congress has confidence that the agency employs no participants in terrorism and that its facilities are not used to support terrorism. In June 2026 she told an Orthodox Union luncheon that cutting off UNRWA "should not have been a close call" and that making the cutoff permanent is a priority this year. At the same event: "Our support for Israel remains as strong as ever," she said. "We must all stand with Israel."

On June 22, 2026, asked on Fox News whether she was reconsidering her support of Israel amid growing opposition to AIPAC, she answered "No way," in her first national interview since the June 9 primaries. "I remain a very strong supporter of Israel, the one democracy in the Middle East — our true ally in the Middle East," she said. In the same interview she defended AIPAC, a lobbying group that supports close ties between Israel and the United States: "AIPAC is made up of Americans who care deeply about our relationship with Israel," she said.

She welcomed the January 2025 ceasefire and hostage agreement, and on the second anniversary of October 7 pointed to the Abraham Accords as evidence that "progress is possible".

The record

Supported sending weapons or funding in 10 of 10 tracked votes

Committees

Senate Committee on Appropriations

Floor votes
H.R. 815 - National Security Supplemental2024-04-23 · Passed 79-18 (Senate)
✗ Voted Yes
supported sending it
S.J.Res. 111 - disapproving sale of 120mm tank rounds to Israel2024-11-20 · Failed 18-79
✗ Voted No
voted against limiting it
S.J.Res. 113 - disapproving sale of 120mm high-explosive mortar rounds to Israel2024-11-20 · Failed 19-78
✗ Voted No
voted against limiting it
S.J.Res. 115 - disapproving sale of JDAM bomb guidance kits to Israel2024-11-20 · Failed 17-80
✗ Voted No
voted against limiting it
S.J.Res. 26 - disapproving $6.75B sale of bombs and guidance kits to Israel2025-04-03 · Failed 15-83
✗ Voted No
voted against limiting it
S.J.Res. 33 - disapproving $2.04B sale of 2,000-lb bombs to Israel2025-04-03 · Failed 15-82
✗ Voted No
voted against limiting it
S.J.Res. 34 - disapproving $675.7M sale of 1,000-lb bombs and JDAM kits to Israel2025-07-30 · Failed 24-73
✗ Voted No
voted against limiting it
S.J.Res. 41 - disapproving sale of fully automatic assault rifles to Israel2025-07-30 · Motion to Discharge Rejected 27-70
✗ Voted No
voted against limiting it
S.J.Res. 32 - disapproving $295M sale of D9 Caterpillar armored bulldozers to Israel2026-04-15 · Failed 40-59
✗ Voted No
voted against limiting it
S.J.Res. 138 - disapproving $151.8M sale of 1,000-lb bombs to Israel2026-04-15 · Failed 36-63
✗ Voted No
voted against limiting it
Bill sponsorship
S. 554 - United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025Senate companion to H.R. 1229.
Co-sponsorbacks this bill to send more support
Notable actions

• April 23, 2024: Voted Yea on final passage (motion to concur, 79-18) of H.R. 815, the FY2024 national security supplemental providing military and other assistance to Israel.

• November 20, 2024: Voted Nay on the motions to discharge S.J.Res. 111, 113 and 115, three joint resolutions of disapproval of proposed U.S. arms sales/transfers to Israel; all three rejected.

• April 3, 2025: Voted Nay on the motions to discharge S.J.Res. 33 and S.J.Res. 26, joint resolutions of disapproval of proposed U.S. arms sales to Israel; both rejected.

• July 30, 2025: Voted Nay on the motions to discharge S.J.Res. 41 and S.J.Res. 34, joint resolutions of disapproval of proposed U.S. defense exports/arms sales to Israel; both rejected.

• May 15, 2024: Co-led (with Sen. Lindsey Graham) a letter to Secretaries Austin and Blinken demanding answers about the administration's withholding of certain munitions shipments to Israel.

How this mark works

We track key votes on sending U.S. weapons and money to the government of Israel. A check means every tracked vote they cast came down against sending more, on the side of peace and de-escalation. A question mark means a mixed record: they sided with sending up to half of the time. An X means they voted to send more weapons and money in over half of their tracked votes, even as the way those weapons and dollars were being used became more and more obvious. At exactly half, money this election cycle from a lobbying group we track, or an endorsement from a group that backs sending weapons, makes it an X. Only votes actually cast are counted. Where a candidate has no recorded votes on these bills, the mark comes instead from a reviewed reading of their public record (money from the lobbying groups we track, endorsements, and their own words since January 26, 2024). There an X also covers fully backing the conduct of the war by the government of Israel without significant reservations, and a question mark also covers speaking about Israel without saying clearly where they stand on U.S. weapons and funding. A dash means No Position Found: we found nothing in their own words about Israel, Gaza or the war.

See a dash? Ask the candidate where they stand, then send us their answer and we'll review it and update the mark. Or volunteer to help review candidates.

Voted to send weapons or funding in more than half of their recorded tracked votes. (Supported sending weapons or funding in 10 of 10 tracked votes.)

The money

$595K in lifetime support from the five lobbying groups we track

Lifetime support from the five lobbying groups we track
AIPAC PAC: $10,000 · Republican Jewish Coalition: $585,000
Support-only OpenFEC data (as of 2026-10-03). Opposition independent expenditures are excluded.
Who these lobbying groups are
AIPAC$10,000The American Israel Public Affairs Committee; its PAC backs candidates it sees as strengthening U.S. ties with the government of Israel, including continued U.S. military aid.Republican Jewish Coalition$585,000The Republican Jewish Coalition's PAC; it financially supports Republican candidates who reflect its priorities, including strong U.S. backing of the government of Israel.Direct contributions and independent expenditures supporting this candidate from the five lobbying groups we track, every cycle each has filed, through 2026. Excludes earmarked and conduit contributions.
Endorsed by AIPAC +1 more
AIPACThe American Israel Public Affairs Committee; its PAC backs candidates it sees as strengthening U.S. ties with the government of Israel, including continued U.S. military aid.Republican Jewish CoalitionThe Republican Jewish Coalition's PAC; it financially supports Republican candidates who reflect its priorities, including strong U.S. backing of the government of Israel.These endorsements come from groups that back sending U.S. weapons and funding to the government of Israel.

In their words

“The enactment last month of the national security supplemental appropriations act, which was approved by Congress overwhelmingly and provides vital assistance to Israel, Ukraine, and our partners in the Indo-Pacific region, is the most recent example of Congress’s strong commitment to Israel as it defends itself following Hamas’ unprovoked invasion and brutality.”
Source ↗, 2024-05-15
“We were alarmed when we learned from the media, rather than the Administration, that despite the President’s assertion that his commitment to the security of Israel is ‘ironclad,’ certain shipments of munitions intended for Israel are being withheld from delivery.”
Source ↗, 2024-05-15
“As we honor the innocent lives lost and await the safe return of those still held captive by Hamas, let us keep the hostages, their family and friends in our hearts and minds, and continue to stand with our treasured ally Israel as the nation navigates this new reality.”
Source ↗, 2025-01-15
“Our support for Israel remains as strong as ever”
Source ↗, 2026-06-23
“United States funding for UNRWA should not continue until Congress and the American people have full confidence that UNRWA is not employing individuals who participate in acts of terrorism, and UNRWA facilities are not being used to support terrorism or violence against Israel.”
Source ↗, 2024-01-26
“I remain a very strong supporter of Israel, the one democracy in the Middle East — our true ally in the Middle East”
Source ↗, 2026-06-22
Endorsements

AIPAC (2026 endorsement) · Republican Jewish Coalition (2026 endorsement)

Research log

The notes behind this card: what we looked at, what we found, and where each item came from.

U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel

  • [Position, 2024-02-09] Senate floor remarks (her office, read and verified verbatim; also carried by Appropriations minority): "this bill fully funds the budget request to support Israel in the war against Hamas. It includes $5.2 billion for Israel's missile defense programs, including Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Iron Beam. The first two of those are co-produced with the United States." Plus foreign military financing for Israel.
  • [Position, 2024-02-11] Further floor remarks: supplemental aid essential to support a close ally battling terrorism and rebuilding defense stockpiles (Appropriations).
  • [Position, 2024-02-04] Statement supporting the $16.8 billion Middle East security package with guardrails on humanitarian aid to prevent diversion by Hamas (Appropriations).
  • [Position, 2024-05-15] Collins-Graham letter to Austin and Blinken on the paused munitions shipments (her release); two existing record quotes carry this item.
  • Her votes: Yea on the April 2024 national security supplemental and Nay on all nine resolutions of disapproval of arms sales to the government of Israel (2024-11-20 three times, 2025-04-03 twice, 2025-07-30 twice, 2026-04-15 twice).
  • [Reaction window, 2023-10-19] Advocated robust emergency military assistance after October 7 (Bangor Daily News). Not on the card summary.

U.S. aid to Palestinians

  • [Position, 2024-02-09] The floor remarks' UNRWA passage, verified verbatim: allegations that at least 12 UNRWA employees were directly involved in October 7; "this bill includes an outright prohibition on funding in this supplemental and prior appropriations, from being used for any grants, contributions, or other U.S. payments to UNRWA. We can distribute that humanitarian assistance through other organizations."
  • [Position, 2024-01-26] Statement on UNRWA allegations, read and verified: "United States funding for UNRWA should not continue until Congress and the American people have full confidence that UNRWA is not employing individuals who participate in acts of terrorism, and UNRWA facilities are not being used to support terrorism or violence against Israel."; called the allegations "appalling".
  • [Position, 2024-03-22, reported; not confirmed] Floor remarks urging permanent UNRWA defunding, alleging the agency functioned as a front for terrorist elements. No page carrying these remarks was located, so this is not confirmed.
  • [Position, 2026-06-23] Orthodox Union luncheon (Jewish Insider, read and verified): cutting UNRWA funding "should not have been a close call"; she had to "fight" to add and extend the funding ban in recent bills, and making the cutoff permanent is a priority for her this year (JI's reporting of her remarks).
  • [Position, 2026-06-24] Her office's account of the same remarks (her release): "I am proud of our relationship with the one true democracy in the Middle East, our closest ally, Israel." The release adds that she highlighted her work as Appropriations chair to suspend funding from UNRWA.

Characterization of the conflict

  • [Position, 2024-10-07] One-year anniversary statement: Hamas's brutal assault devastated families; support for Israel; immediate release of hostages.
  • [Position, 2025-01-15] Statement welcoming the ceasefire and hostage agreement; an existing record quote carries this.
  • [Position, 2025-10-07] Second-anniversary statement after a "Sukkah of Hope" event: Hamas's cruelty threatens the region; Abraham Accords as a pathway to stability for Israelis and Palestinians.
  • [Reaction window, 2023-10-19/22] Deadliest attack on the Jewish community since the Holocaust; bipartisan Senate delegation to Israel; closest democratic ally facing unprovoked terrorist invasion. Not on the card summary.
  • [Reaction window, 2023-12-18] Condemned Hamas's use of sexual violence as a weapon of war (Maine Wire). Not on the card summary.

Related rhetoric and lobbying

  • [Reaction window, 2023-10-19] Co-sponsored the Senate solidarity resolution (King release). Not on the card summary; the resolution had many sponsors.
  • [Position, 2024-07-24 and 2025-02-06, reported; not confirmed] Attended Netanyahu's address to Congress; met him on Capitol Hill. No page carrying this was located, so it is not confirmed.
  • [Position, 2026-06-22] Asked on Fox News whether she was reconsidering her support of Israel amid growing opposition to AIPAC: "No way," and "I remain a very strong supporter of Israel, the one democracy in the Middle East — our true ally in the Middle East" (Portland Press Herald). In the same interview she defended AIPAC, a lobbying group that supports close ties between Israel and the United States: "AIPAC is made up of Americans who care deeply about our relationship with Israel," she said (Jewish Insider).

Safety and antisemitism (context)

  • [Position, 2024-04-30] Appropriations hearing: pressed the Education Secretary on a reported 360% surge in campus antisemitic incidents (her release).
  • [Position, 2025-02-14] Co-sponsored the reintroduced Antisemitism Awareness Act (IHRA definition for campus investigations) (Crapo release; multi-sponsor).
  • [Position, 2026-06-23] Orthodox Union remarks: "the oldest hatred is not only still alive, but sicker than ever"; family history against religious intolerance (Jewish Insider above).

Also in this race

  1. ✓ Troy Dale Jackson (Democrat)

All Maine candidates.

But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. Every claim on this page goes through at least two verification steps. Open Find Your Candidates for votes, funding and contact details.