Susan Collins’s Committee Bought Trucks the Army Didn’t Want. Then Campaign Donations Poured In.

Key Points:

• The U.S. Army declared last year that it had excess armored vehicles from AM General, but Congress appropriated $345 million to continue procurement, overriding the Army’s decision to cancel further orders.
• Following the appropriations bill, AM General employees and its parent company’s PAC donated over $58,000 to Sen. Susan Collins and similar amounts to Rep. Ken Calvert, both key members of defense appropriations committees.
• Sen. Collins denies involvement in the funding decision, attributing it to Senate defense subcommittee leaders, though her campaign has received significant contributions from defense contractors, raising concerns about influence and campaign finance practices.
• AM General, known for producing the Humvee and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), faces scrutiny over production delays and congressional skepticism, with some lawmakers calling for a new contractor amid ongoing defense spending debates.
• Despite a longstanding ban on direct donations from government contractors, company PACs and employees continue to contribute to campaigns, highlighting ongoing challenges in the U.S. campaign finance system related to defense contracting.