The US Senate election this fall is of critical importance in Maine. The result could have drastic outcomes for families, impacting our lives and our children’s lives for generations. 

Troy Jackson will help Maine families, because he understands the needs and concerns of working-class Mainers. Susan Collins has shown again and again she is aligned with the Trump agenda and the billionaires.  

Things will only get worse as more provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, Reconciliation Bill) take effect. This bill rewards billionaires with tax cuts, while making program changes that penalize families, especially families with moderate and lower incomes.  

Susan Collins was the deciding YES vote to move H.R. 1 to final vote. Then two days later, she cast a NO vote for the same bill. Typical Susan. On the record she shows a NO, but she actually moved the bill right up to the finish line. We’ve seen it before.  

Of particular concern for me, as a retired public health dietitian, are the changes H.R. 1 makes to SNAP, including the complete elimination of SNAP-Ed last fall. SNAP-Ed is the nutrition education component of SNAP, where low-income families gain cooking and shopping skills. It is a travesty that such a worthwhile program was cut in a time of such great need. 

SNAP cuts have already occurred, with more changes coming over the next few years. Meanwhile, our local food pantries struggle to keep up with the demand. Something is drastically wrong with this picture.  

In addition, H.R. 1 makes substantial program changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and to Medicaid, programs that help thousands of Maine families. Many of these changes were intentionally set to take effect after the midterm elections, but we need to consider their impact now. Hard-working families seeking affordable health care coverage are being penalized in order to give tax cuts to billionaires.    

Troy Jackson cares about all Maine families and therefore deserves our vote for U.S. Senate.

Christine Sady lives in Lincolnville