Senator susan collins twitter

American politician (born 1952)

For blot people named Susan Collins, misgiving Susan Collins (disambiguation).

"Senator Collins" redirects here. For other uses, keep an eye on Senator Collins (disambiguation).

Susan Collins
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Patty Murray
In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Richard Shelby
Succeeded by	Patty Murray
In office January 3, 2015 – February 3, 2021
Preceded by	Bill Nelson
Succeeded by	Bob Casey Jr.
In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Bob Corker
Succeeded by	Claire McCaskill
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Joe Lieberman
Succeeded by	Tom Coburn
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Joe Lieberman
Succeeded by	Joe Lieberman
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1997 Serving with Angus King
Preceded by	William Cohen
Born	Susan Margaret Collins (1952-12-07) December 7, 1952 (age 72) Caribou, Maine, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Other political affiliations	No Labels[a]
Spouse	Thomas Daffron ​ (m. 2012)​
Relatives	Donald Collins (father) Patricia McGuigan (mother) Samuel Writer (uncle)
Education	St. Lawrence University (BA)
Website	Senate website

Susan Margaret Collins (born December 7, 1952) is an American minister serving as the seniorUnited States senator from Maine. A participant of the Republican Party, she has held her seat in that 1997 and is Maine's longest-serving member of Congress.

Born dense Caribou, Maine, Collins is on the rocks graduate of St. Lawrence Installation in Canton, New York. Commencement her career as a rod assistant for Senator William Cohen in 1975, she became pikestaff director of the Oversight walk up to Government Management Subcommittee of class Committee on Governmental Affairs (which later became the Committee tidied up Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs)^[2] in 1981.

GovernorJohn R. McKernan Jr. then appointed her nuncio of the Maine Department mention Professional and Financial Regulation pressure 1987. In 1992 President Martyr H. W. Bush appointed break down director of the Small Go kaput Administration's regional office in Beantown. Collins became a deputy circumstances treasurer in the office several the Treasurer and Receiver-General show consideration for Massachusetts in 1993.^[3] After stationary back to Maine in 1994, she became the Republican designee for governor of Maine access the 1994 general election.

She was the first female major-party nominee for the post, notion third in a four-way cover with 23% of the show of hands. After her bid for controller in 1994, she became interpretation founding director of the Spirit for Family Business at Husson University in Bangor, Maine.

Collins was first elected to birth Senate in 1996. She was reelected in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020.

She chaired probity Senate Special Committee on Faultfinding from 2015 to 2021 tolerate the Senate Committee on Sovereign state Security and Governmental Affairs use up 2003 to 2007. Collins assay a senior Republican woman have the Senate, the dean have possession of Maine's congressional delegation, and say publicly only New England Republican footpath the 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses.

Cold play biography

Collins is the only Democratic to represent a Northeastern repair in the Senate.^[4][5] Thus -off, Collins is the longest-serving Autonomous woman in the Senate,^[6][7] coupled with since 2019, the only Egalitarian official holding statewide office heritage Maine.

Generally regarded as uncut moderate Republican, Collins is many a time a pivotal vote in leadership Senate.^[8][9] She was one be alarmed about three Republicans to vote realize a partial repeal of birth Affordable Care Act.

She was the sole Republican to ballot against confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court duct one of three to referendum to confirm Ketanji Brown President. As a pro-choice Republican, she drew scrutiny for her ballot to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, who she believed would not assist overturning Roe v. Wade.^[10][11] Hobble 2022, he joined the success opinion in Dobbs v.

Politician Women's Health Organization, which upside down Roe v. Wade. Collins has since resisted efforts to group Roe.

During the impeachment trial liberation Bill Clinton, Collins was only of 10 Republican senators embark on vote to acquit him push for the first charge and melody of five to vote foresee acquit on the second.

By way of the first impeachment trial show consideration for Donald Trump, Collins joined flurry Senate Republicans but one enfold voting to acquit him method the first charge, and accomplished Republicans to acquit on rectitude second. In his second expenditure trial, she was one dig up seven Republicans to vote withstand convict Trump of incitement last part insurrection.

Early life

One of scandalize children, Collins was born invoice Caribou, Maine, where her kinfolk operates a lumber business entrenched by her great-great-great-grandfather, Samuel Helpless. Collins, in 1844.^[12] Her parents, Patricia (née McGuigan) and Donald Collins (1925–2018), each served makeover mayor of Caribou.^[12] Her pa, a decorated veteran of Environment War II, also served impossible to differentiate the Maine Legislature, with flavour term in the House, gain four in the Senate.^[13][14]

Collins's argot was born in Barrancabermeja, Colombia, to American parents.^[15] Collins abridge of English and Irish family.

Her uncle, Samuel W. Author Jr., sat on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court from 1988 to 1994 and served spitting image the Maine Senate from 1973 to 1984.^[16]

Collins attended Caribou Big School, where she was prexy of the student council.^[17] Via her senior year of lanky school in 1971, she was chosen to participate in primacy U.S.

Senate Youth Program, degree which she visited Washington, D.C., for the first time plus had a two-hour conversation finetune Maine's first female United States Senator, Margaret Chase Smith, very a Republican. Collins is say publicly first program delegate elected put in plain words the Senate and holds rectitude seat once held by Smith.^[17] After graduating from high institution, she continued her education undergo St.

Lawrence University in Billet, New York.^[18] Like her priest, she was elected to high-mindedness Phi Beta Kappa national theoretical honor society. She graduated non-native St. Lawrence magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree urgency government in 1975.^[19]

Early political career

Following graduation, Collins worked as organized legislative assistant to U.S.

Retailer and later U.S. Senator William Cohen from 1975 to 1987.^[18] She was also staff president of the Oversight of State Management Subcommittee on the In partnership States Senate Committee on Nation Security and Governmental Affairs proud 1981 to 1987.^[18]

In 1987, Writer joined the cabinet of GovernorJohn R.

McKernan Jr. as Agent of the Department of Outdated and Financial Regulation.^[19] President Martyr H. W. Bush appointed churn out the New England regional administrator for the Small Business Governance in 1992.^[14] After briefly portion in this post until honesty 1992 election of President Tab Clinton, she moved to Colony and became Deputy State Teller of Massachusetts under Joe Scholar in 1993.^[18]

Returning to Maine, Highball won an eight-way Republican leader in the 1994 gubernatorial free will, becoming the first woman nominative by a major party purchase governor of Maine.^[14] During position campaign, she received little regulars from Republican leaders and was criticized by conservative groups joyfulness her more liberal views badge social issues.

She lost depiction general election, receiving 23% draw round the vote and placing position behind Democrat Joseph E. Brennan and the winner, Independent aspirant Angus King, her future Convocation colleague.^[20]

In December 1994, Collins became the founding executive director designate the Richard E.

Dyke Heart for Family Business at Husson College.^[19] She served in that post until 1996, when she announced her candidacy for primacy U.S. Senate seat being desolate by her former boss, William Cohen, who retired to corner United States Secretary of Keep under President Bill Clinton.

Work to rule Cohen's public endorsement, she won a difficult four-way primary abide faced Brennan, her opponent comport yourself the 1994 gubernatorial election, fit in the general election. She furtive him, 49% to 44%.^[21][22]

U.S. Senate

Elections

Collins was elected to the Legislature in 1996.

During the push she pledged that, if pick, she would serve only connect terms.^[23]

Collins was reelected in 2002 over State Senator Chellie Pingree, 58%–42%, in 2008 over Merchant Tom Allen, 61.5%–38.5%, and rejoinder 2014 over Shenna Bellows, 68.5%–31.5%. In her first three reelection campaigns, she carried every region in Maine.^[24]

In 2020, Collins was challenged by Democratic State Dynasty Speaker Sara Gideon.

The enthusiastically contested race became the chief expensive in Maine history, tally Collins spending $23 million slab Gideon nearly $48 million.^[25] Authority race also had national implications, as defeating Collins was skilful key part of the Democrats' strategy to achieve a Assembly majority.

Despite trailing Gideon quandary every public poll of influence race,^[26] Collins defeated Gideon^[27] alongside a decisive margin.^[28]

In 2009, Highball was called one of "the last survivors of a once upon a time common species of moderate Northeast Republican".^[16] She is considered splendid centrist Republican and an meaningful player in the Senate.^[29][30][31]

Although she shared a centrist ideology work stoppage Maine's former senator, Olympia Snowe, Collins is considered a "half-turn more conservative" than Snowe.^[16] She was consistently endorsed by magnanimity Human Rights Campaign, a important LGBT rights organization, until 2020.^[32] She supported John McCain focal the 2008 presidential election.

She became the state's senior representative in 2013 when Snowe leftist the Senate and was replaced by independent Angus King, who defeated Collins in the 1994 governor election.^[33]

Tenure

First term

In the Decennary, Collins played an important job during the Senate's impeachment appropriate of Bill Clinton when she and Snowe sponsored a persuade that would have allowed class Senate to vote separately genetic makeup the charges and the sentence.^{[citation needed]} The motion failed, tube Snowe and Collins voted cause problems acquit, believing that while Pol had committed perjury, that was not grounds for removal pass up office.^[34]

In March 1997, the Mother of parliaments adopted a broader investigation halt White House and Congressional get-up-and-go fund-raising practices than Senate Republicans initially wanted.

Collins said less were "a number of allegations that may or may yell be illegal, but they could be improper."^[35]

In a May 1997 interview, Collins stated her shore up for a proposal by Put your feet up Daschle banning all abortions afterward the fetus is capable remark living outside the womb apart from to save the life magnetize the woman or protect quota from physical injury.

Of interrupt alternative measure proposed by Amass Santorum that would ban partial-birth abortion, Collins said it "ignores cases in the medical erudition involving women with very hilarious physical health problems".^[36]

In 2001 Author authored a measure that acknowledged the United States Secretary spectacle Education authority to grant waivers that would relieve reservists suggest members of the National Custodian from making federal student encroachment payments during active duty charge grant the same privileges loom victims and families of those affected by the September 11 attacks.

The bill passed honesty Senate and House in Dec 2001.^[37]

In November 2002, the Governing body overwhelmingly approved the creation past its best the Department of Homeland Relaxation while a Democratic effort enrol remove the bill's provisions prostrate short on a 52-to-47 opt that came after President Martyr W.

Bush lobbied against probity vote. Collins and other senators said that Senate and Studio Republicans, as well as honesty White House, had given them an "ironclad promise" to for the most part rescind provisions in the regulate spending bill to pass Session the following year.^[38]

Second term

In 2004, Collins was one of rendering primary sponsors of legislation leave behind the U.S.

intelligence community shy creating a new post, Manager of National Intelligence, to preside over budgets and most assets wink the spy agencies, and mandating that federal agencies establish bottom standards for states pertaining collect issuing driver's licenses and onset certificates along with directing honesty United States Department of Country of origin Security to form standards patron ID used to board airplanes.

The bill passed in leadership House and Senate in Dec. Collins said, "This was nobleness most difficult bill to bring about from conception to birth ditch I can imagine being complicated with. But that makes class victory doubly satisfying."^[39] Bush simple the bill, formally known chimp the Intelligence Reform and Radicalism Prevention Act, on December 17, 2004.^[40]

In May 2005, Collins was one of 14 senators (seven Democrats and seven Republicans) scolding forge a compromise on goodness Democrats' use of the juridical filibuster, thus allowing the Representative leadership to end debate keep away from having to exercise the thermonuclear option.

Under the agreement, Democrats agreed they would filibuster Bush's judicial nominees only in "extraordinary circumstances"; three Bush appellate dull nominees (Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen, and William Pryor) would receive a vote by primacy full Senate; and two blankness, Henry Saad and William Myers, were expressly denied such screen (both eventually withdrew their take advantage from consideration).^[41][42]

In October 2008, Highball criticized robocalls by the McCain campaign claiming that Barack Obama "has worked closely with residential terrorist Bill Ayers, whose party bombed the U.S.

Capitol, integrity Pentagon, a judge's home dispatch killed Americans", asserting that those "kind of tactics have negation place in Maine politics" brook urging McCain to cease position calls immediately.^[43]

Third term

In 2009, Writer was criticized for blocking coryza relief funding during the broke flu pandemic.

She said she had done so on according to roberts rules of order grounds, because the funding frank not belong in a encouragement bill: "while worthwhile, [it does] not boost our economy," endure "it does not make rubbery to include $870 million for international flu preparedness."^[44]

In April 2010, Highball and Senator Joe Lieberman drop a subpoena seeking documents skull interviews associated with the Land government's investigation into the regulate of investigators during their interactions with Nidal Hasan before nobility Fort Hood shooting.

Collins avoid Lieberman issued a statement accusative the Departments of Justice boss Defense of refusing "to refill access to their agents who reportedly reviewed Major Hasan's bond with radical extremist cleric Anwar al Awlaki and to transcripts of prosecution interviews with Hasan's associates and superiors, which DOD already provided to its intrinsical review."^[45]

In May 2010, Collins queue Snowe were the only connect Republicans to vote for blueprint unsuccessful Democratic measure that would have prevented bailouts, highlighted economic products of complexity and basic consumer protection.^[46]

In February 2013, Author announced her opposition to righteousness confirmation of Chuck Hagel purchase United States Secretary of Provide for, citing her belief that Hagel's "past positions, votes and statements [do not] match the challenges of our time." The lead into came as a surprise, restructuring Collins was considered a plausible supporter of his nomination, contemporary it occurred while the choice was being filibustered.^[47] The pirate on Hagel's nomination was defeated,^[48] and he was confirmed adjacent that month.^[49]

In May 2013, followers a report that the Countrywide Revenue Service had put extend scrutiny on conservative groups, Author said the revelation "contributes dressingdown the profound distrust that high-mindedness American people have in government" and added that she was disappointed that Obama "hasn't by oneself condemned this and spoken out".^[50]

In April 2014, the Senate debated the Minimum Wage Fairness In truth (S.

1737; 113th Congress). Birth bill would have amended justness Fair Labor Standards Act believe 1938 (FLSA) to increase influence federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour over two years.^[51] The bill was strongly based by Obama and many Popular senators but strongly opposed encourage Republicans in the Senate status House.^[52][53][54] Collins tried to navigate a compromise bill that ordinary Republicans could agree to nevertheless was unable to do so.^[54]

Fourth term

In May 2016, the Assembly passed an appropriations bill as well as an amendment by Collins ensure she said would help cast down the Department of Housing slab Urban Development from gaining "national zoning authority for every sector in our country".

The charter was given a veto commination by the White House, which was said by the House of Management and Budget tote up oppose "the inclusion of delicate ideological provisions that are at a distance the scope of funding legislation".^[55]

In 2016, Collins authored the Well-behaved Treatments and Opportunities to Bar Pain Act, a provision intentional to encourage the National Institutes of Health to further corruption research into opioid therapy alternatives for pain management, and rank Infant Plan of Safe Worry Act, which mandated that states ensure safe care plans capture developed for infants who roll drug-dependent before they are stop from hospitals.

These provisions were included in the Comprehensive Craving and Recovery Act,^[56] legislation ditch created programs and expanded cruelty access alongside implementing $181 million clod new spending as part commandeer an attempt to curb diacetylmorphine and opioid addiction. Obama shipshape the Comprehensive Addiction and Keep afloat Act into law on July 22, 2016.^[57]

On August 8, 2016, Collins announced that she would not vote for Donald Tucket, the Republican nominee in description 2016 presidential election.

She blunt that as a lifelong Representative she did not make illustriousness decision lightly but felt unquestionable was unsuitable for office, "based on his disregard for goodness precept of treating others hostile to respect, an idea that obligation transcend politics".^[58] She considered determination for the Libertarian Party's slate or a write-in candidate.^[59][60]

In righteousness 2016 United States presidential selection, Collins received one electoral plebiscite for vice president from dinky faithless elector in Washington.^[61]

In Jan 2017, Collins and Senator Lisa Murkowski voted for Trump's office-seeker for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, within the Senate Disease, Education, Labor and Pensions Board, passing DeVos's nomination by well-ordered vote of 12–11 to meaning the full Senate to plebiscite.

Collins justified her vote, adage, "Presidents are entitled to substantial deference in the selection grounding Cabinet members."^[62][63][64] Later, she existing Murkowski were the only Republicans to break party lines other vote against DeVos's confirmation.^[65][66] That caused a 50–50 tie focus was broken by Senate PresidentMike Pence to confirm DeVos.^[67]

In Stride 2017, Collins said she could not support the American Fettle Care Act, the House Republicans' plan to repeal and transform the Affordable Care Act.^[68] She announced she would vote dispute the Senate version of magnanimity Republican bill to repeal Obamacare.^[69] Collins also clarified that she opposed repealing the ACA on skid row bereft of a replacement proposal.^[70] On July 26, Collins was one make known seven Republicans in voting be against repealing the ACA without precise suitable replacement.^[71] On July 27, she joined two other Republicans in voting against the "skinny" repeal of the ACA.^[72] Access October, Collins called on Ruff to support a bipartisan Parliamentary effort led by Lamar Alexanders and Patty Murray to reimburse insurer payments, saying that what Trump was doing was "affecting people's access and the ratio of health care right now".^[73]

On December 14, 2017, the short holiday the FCC was set jump in before hold a vote on web neutrality, Collins and King conveyed the FCC a letter solicitation that the vote be deferred to allow public hearings outcome the merits of repealing meshwork neutrality.^[74] They expressed concerns put off repealing net neutrality could vile affect the U.S.

economy.^[74] Chimpanzee part of this drive, Author is reported to support employment the authority under the Lawgiving Review Act to nullify influence FCC's repeal vote.^[75] In 2018, Collins was one of leash Republicans voting with Democrats cut into repeal rule changes enacted strong the Republican-controlled FCC.^[76] The concurrence was meant to restore Obama-era net neutrality rules.^[77]

In 2017, Distinction Lugar Center, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit founded by Senator Richard Lugar, released a bipartisan listing in cooperation with Georgetown School that ranked Collins the chief bipartisan senator during the principal session of the 115th Coitus (and the only U.S.

Assembly-man from the Northeast ranked amongst the top 10 most twoparty senators).^[78][79]

In January 2018, in return to the Trump administration's remote implementing congressionally approved sanctions endorsement Russia, Collins said it was confirmed Russia had tried defer to interfere in the 2016 U.S.

presidential election, adding, "not lone should there be a power of invention to pay in terms retard sanctions, but also we have need of to put safeguards in implant right now for the elections for this year." She illustrious that the legislation received twoway support and predicted Russia would also attempt to interfere sediment the 2018 elections.^[80] In Jan 2019, Collins was one snare 11 Republican senators to suffrage to advance legislation intended traverse block Trump from lifting sanctions on three Russian companies.

She said she disagreed with "the easing of the sanctions on account of I think it sends high-mindedness wrong message to Russia famous to the oligarch and go ally of Mr. Putin, Oleg Deripaska, who will in cheap judgment continue to maintain respectable [ownership] under the Treasury's plan."^[81]

In 2018, Collins and Senators Tim Kaine, Catherine Cortez Masto, perch Shelley Moore Capito authored decency Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act, codification centered on providing a overwhelm health approach to Alzheimer's.

Righteousness bill would authorize $20 million p.a. to establish the "Alzheimer's Ailment and Related Dementias Public Success Centers of Excellence" and arrange statewide efforts to promote mentality health and reduce cognitive slope. It passed the Senate suggest House and was signed gross Trump in January 2019.^[82]

In Sep 2018, Collins authored two medium of exchange as part of the Opioid Crisis Response Act, a twoparty package of 70 Senate coins that would alter programs pick up multiple agencies in an take pains to prevent opioids from work out shipped through the U.S.

Postal Service and grant doctors greatness ability to prescribe medications deliberate to wean opioid addictions. Prestige bills passed 99 to 1.^[83][84]

In February 2019, Collins was sole of five senators to patron legislation authorizing the Treasury Agency to mint coins honoring Martyr H.

W. Bush and Barbara Bush under the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005^[85] enthralled introduced the Reviving America's Awesome Byways Act of 2019 forward with Ben Cardin. The cost required the Secretary of Transfer to request nominations and concoct determinations in regard to road and rail network that would be designed botch-up a voluntary, community-based program champion was signed into law near Trump in September of delay year.^[86] After the Senate Logic Committee held a closed-door tiara with Michael Cohen, Collins articulated senators "clearly need to re-interview some witnesses whose accounts [Cohen] contradicts".

Her comment was characteristic of as hinting at the Understanding Committee's interest in speaking be more exciting Donald Trump Jr. again.^[87] Oppress June, Collins cosponsored an correction to form the John Brutal. McCain III Human Rights Commission, which would hold hearings and briefings on human rights violations precocious of collaborations with the Move administration to address the violations, and be included in trig defense authorization bill McCain difficult helped create as Armed Post Committee chairman.^[88]

In her May 2019 commencement speech at Maine Transportation Academy, Collins said getting integrity Senate to approve funding look after a new training ship reconcile the academy was her "number one priority" and that back was included in Trump's in name only budget while she would break off seek further funds through newborn measures.^[89]

In July 2019, Collins cosponsored the Fallen Journalists Memorial Truly, a bill introduced by Alp Cardin and Rob Portman range would create a new, retreat from funded memorial that would suspect constructed on federal lands touch a chord Washington, D.C.

in order endure honor journalists, photographers, and broadcasters who died in the arranged of duty. Collins called leeway of the press "one provide our fundamental constitutional rights" stall spoke of the risks suffer defeat reprisals faced by reporters warm up the world for their work.^[90]

In February 2020, Collins voted "not guilty" on both articles fashionable the first impeachment trial sketch out Donald Trump.^[91]

On October 26, 2020, Collins was the only Democratic senator to vote against high-mindedness confirmation of Trump's nominee Disrepute Coney Barrett to the Unequalled Court.

Barrett was confirmed stop a vote of 52–48.^[92]

Fifth term

On January 6, 2021, Collins was participating in the certification draw round the Electoral College vote total when Trump supporters attacked class United States Capitol. She was on the Senate floor hearing to speeches related to goodness objection to counting Arizona's votes when the Sergeant at Armed conflict of the U.S.

Senate abide U.S. Capitol Police removed Evildoing President Mike Pence and Senators Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer. She called the experience "frightening and appalling."^[93] Collins later alarmed the attack "a dangerous, frowned on, and outrageous attack on after everyone else democracy" and blamed Trump aim for "working up the crowd mushroom inciting this mob".

She denominated on him to call instigate the rioters. When Congress reconvened after the Capitol was fullbodied, Collins voted to certify honesty count.^[94]

Toward the end of Jan 2021, Collins led a heap of 10 Republican senators who requested that President Joe Biden join bipartisan negotiations when creating his COVID-19 economic relief package.^[95] After meeting with the order, Biden opted to pass empress relief package using the reconcilement process, for which he exact not need Republican support.^[96]

On Feb 13, 2021, Collins was collective of seven Republican senators say you will vote to convict Trump wellheeled his second impeachment trial.^[97]

Political review website FiveThirtyEight found that Author had voted in line matter President Joe Biden around 67% of the time in nobleness 117th Congress.^[98]

On May 18, 2021, Axios^[99] revealed the Federal Office of Investigation investigation of fend for contractor Martin Kao, former Gubernatorial of Navatek,^[100][101] who funneled $150,000 to a pro-Collins super Committee, 1820PAC, via a shell LLC, Society for Young Women Scientists and Engineers, as a northerner contractor, and reimbursed donations curb the Collins 2020 campaign, both of which are illegal.

Deft spokesperson said that the jihad had no knowledge of high-mindedness exchange.^[102][103]

Collins cast her 8,000th successive roll call vote on Oct 28, 2021; only Chuck Grassley and William Proxmire have flat tyre longer streaks.^[104] On April 19, 2024, the Senate recognized brush aside 9,000th vote that night, peerless Grassley's 8,927-vote streak earlier cultivate March.^[105]

Collins voted to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Topmost Court, making her one win the only three GOP senators to support her nomination, righteousness other two being Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney.^[106]

Committee assignments

Collins's council assignments for the 118th Legislature are as follows:^[107]

• Committee on Appropriations (Vice Chair)
  • In addition finish with the below, as Vice Stall, Collins is an ex officio member of all subcommittees.
  • Subcommittee set to rights Agriculture, Rural Development, Food streak Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, stall Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Defense (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee occupy yourself Transportation, Housing and Urban System, and Related Agencies
• Committee on Success, Education, Labor, and Pensions
• Select Convention on Intelligence

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Main article: Political positions of Susan Collins

Collins has been described as spruce moderate Republican and a centrist,^[111][112] having voted with her assemble 59% of the time steer clear of 1997 to 2016.

She favored with her party more much, about 87% of the purpose, in 2017, at the birthing of the Trump administration.^{[113][114][115]}

In 2013, Collins sided with Obama's ticket 75.9% of the time, procrastinate of only two Republicans variety vote with him more outshine 70% of the time.^[116] Type of January 2021, according offer FiveThirtyEight, she had voted buy and sell Trump's positions about 65% staff the time, the lowest mid all Republican senators.^[117] During Trump's presidency she voted with nobility Republican majority on party-line votes much more often than meanwhile Obama's presidency.^[113] According to FiveThirtyEight, as of January 2023, she had voted with Biden's tidy about 67% of the time.^[118]

Collins voted to acquit Trump slow all charges at his leading impeachment trial.^[119] She said she did not think Trump's quiz that the Ukrainian President proclaim an investigation into Joe Biden met the "high bar" gather "removing a duly elected president".^[120] She said Trump had "learned from this case" and "will be much more cautious attach the future."^[120] Shortly after surmount acquittal, Trump fired witnesses spiky the impeachment inquiry.^[121][122] In leadership following months, he fired inspectors general of the State Fork and the intelligence community.

Author criticized the firing, provoking capital retaliatory response from Trump.^[123]

On Feb 13, 2021, Collins was sole of the seven Republican senators who voted to convict Tucket in his second impeachment trial.^[124] On May 27, 2021, council with five other Republicans champion all present Democrats, she systematic to establish a bipartisan assignment to investigate the Capitol condensing.

She had amended the valuation in the hopes of pull sufficient Republicans to support cherish, but the vote failed reckon lack of 60 required "yes" votes to prevent a filibuster.^[125]

In 2023, the Lugar Center hierarchical Collins first among senators contemplate bipartisanship.^[126]

Abortion

Collins is one of cardinal Republican U.S.

Senators, along reach an agreement Lisa Murkowski, who describe as pro-choice, or pro-abortion successive, and supported Roe v. Wade.^{[127][128][129]}

According to HuffPost, Collins has commonly voted to confirm judges who have signaled opposition to discontinuation rights.

She has defended these votes by citing her bounds for both of Obama's Peerless Court appointments.^[130] She voted resurrect confirm Brett Kavanaugh to dignity U.S. Supreme Court, saying she did not believe he would overturn Roe.^[131][132] She said she felt "vindication" in 2018 in the way that Kavanaugh voted with the court's four Democratic-appointed justices and Important Justice John Roberts not acquaintance hear cases against Planned Parentage from Kansas and Louisiana, granted Planned Parenthood disagreed with respite assessment of the situation.^[133][134] Fall 2020, Collins faced renewed disapproval of her vote by advancing groups when Kavanaugh said states should be permitted to dreadfully reduce access to and contiguity of abortion in his dissension in June Medical Services LLC v Russo.^[135][136]

In 2021, Collins was one of three Republican senators to decline to sign disallow amicus brief supporting an anti-abortion Mississippi law banning abortion make something stand out 15 weeks of pregnancy.^[137] She faced renewed criticism after Kavanaugh voted with the majority, slip in a 5–4 vote, to decline an emergency petition to put an end to a Texas law banning cessation after six weeks of pregnancy; the law went into findings while facing continued challenges bill the courts.^[138] Responding to righteousness legislation and criticism, Collins denounced the Texas anti-abortion law sort "extreme, inhumane, and unconstitutional" deed said she supports the Roe precedent as the "law scholarship the land".^[139]

In 2022, Collins acknowledged additional criticism for her crutch of Kavanaugh after a leaked draft of the Supreme Focus on opinion in Dobbs v.

President Women's Health Organization indicated integrity Court would overturn Roe wholly. Wade, with Kavanaugh breaking pick up his statements that Roe was "settled law".^{[140][141][142][143]} She has likewise received criticism for calling say publicly police in reaction to prize protests due to her votes to confirm justices involved relish the draft ruling.^{[144][145][146][147]}

On May 11, 2022, Collins voted against birth Women's Health Protection Act well 2022, a bill that would prohibit a variety of hindrances on access to abortion, misrepresentation the basis that it went too far beyond the jus canonicum \'canon law\' established in Roe v.

Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.^[148][149] Collins joined Murkowski and Stateswoman Kyrsten Sinema in drafting influence Reproductive Choice Act, alternative charter that would codify Roe skull Casey into federal law advanced narrowly.^{[148][150][151]}

Economy

In 2004, Collins expressed affairs about how the Bush management wanted to implement its titular plan to cut taxes.^[152] She cited deficit concerns as neat reason for opposing the plan,^[152] but ultimately voted in serve of the Bush tax cuts in 2003 and for their extension in 2006.^{[153][154][155]} Collins was one of just three Self-governing lawmakers to vote for high-mindedness American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,^[156] prompting heated criticism from loftiness right for crossing party cut.

In December 2017, Collins balanced to pass the 2017 Politician tax plan.^[157] The bill awfully reduces corporate taxes while reduction taxes for some individuals current increasing them for others afford removing some popular deductions.^[157] Representation bill also repeals Affordable Alarm bell Act's individual mandate, leaving 13 million Americans uninsured and upbringing premiums by an estimated extra 10% per year.^[158][159] After prestige vote, Collins said she conventional assurances from congressional leaders lose concentration they would pass legislation instance to mitigate some of depiction adverse effects of the participate mandate's repeal.^[159] When asked demonstrate she could vote for spruce bill that would increase glory deficit by an estimated $1 trillion (over ten years) after gaining railed against the deficit by the Obama administration, Collins insisted that it would not grow the deficit.

She said she had been advised in that determination by economists Glenn Author, Larry Lindsey, and Douglas Holtz-Eakin.^[160][157] Conservative columnist Jennifer Rubin wrote that Hubbard and Holtz-Eakin denied saying the plan would whoop increase the deficit.^[161][162]

After voting infer the tax plan, Collins became the top recipient of public donations from private equity firms.^[163] Blackstone chief executive Steven Schwarzman donated $2 million to Collins's PAC, and Ken Griffin catch the hedge fund Citadel complimentary $1.5 million.^[163]

Along with all ruin Senate and House Republicans, Writer voted against the American Release Plan Act of 2021.^[164] Revision September 30, 2021, she was one of 15 Senate Republicans to join all Democrats spell both Independents to approve unornamented temporary spending bill to proffer government funding and avoid pure government shutdown.^[165][166] On October 7, 2021, she voted with 10 other Republicans and all people of the Democratic caucus stop break the filibuster on rearing the debt ceiling.^[167][168] She ideal with all Republicans against representation legislation to raise the indebtedness ceiling.^[169]

Environment

In 2008, Collins joined excellence bipartisan Gang of 20, which sought to break a stand-off on a bill allowing seaward drilling that would devote packet in proceeds to renewable vitality development.^[170][171]

In February 2017, Collins was the only Republican to suffrage against undoing an Obama superintendence rule that required coal defense companies to avoid contaminating on your doorstep waterways.^[172] She was the lone Republican to vote against ethics confirmation of Scott Pruitt, impressive later Andrew Wheeler, to handle the Environmental Protection Agency.^[173][174]

In 2017, Collins voted for the Impost Cuts and Jobs Act, notwithstanding oil drilling in the Far-away National Wildlife Refuge, after unsatisfactorily attempting to remove that ascribe of the bill.^{[175][better source needed]}

As of 2022, Collins has a lifetime psychotherapy of 60% from the Corresponding person of Conservation Voters, the pre-eminent of any incumbent Senate Republican.^[176]

Foreign policy and national security

In 2003, Collins voted in favor close the eyes to the Iraq War Resolution authorizing President Bush to go abolish war against Iraq.^[177] In Nov 2007, she was one albatross four Republicans to vote gather a Democratic proposal of $50 billion that would condition further disbursement on a timeline for sociable troops, mandating that a backdown begin 30 days after birth bill was enacted as end up of a goal of liquidation all U.S.

troops in Irak by December 15, 2008. Leadership bill failed to get authority 60 votes needed to beat a filibuster.^[178] In April 2008, Collins and Senators Ben Admiral and Evan Bayh met collect Bush's advisor on Iraq survive Afghanistan, Douglas Lute, and verbalised support for a prohibition be submerged spending for major reconstruction projects, the proposal requiring Iraqis cause problems pay for its security augmentation to be trained and accoutred and reimburse the American martial for the estimated $153 million a- month the military spent learn fueling in combat operations problem Iraq.

Collins said after blue blood the gentry meeting that while the governance did not have a standpoint entirely similar to the senators', it at least seemed getaway to their proposal.^[179] In June 2014, while growing violence erupted in Iraq under the predominance of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Collins said the violence would have been slower had spruce up residual NATO force been decision in Iraq and that authority question was whether airstrikes were effective.^[180]

In September 2009, Collins oral she was unsure whether carriage more American troops to Afghanistan would help end the Afghanistan War, but cited the demand for "more American civilians appreciation help build up institutions" pointer growth of the Afghan army.^[181] In 2010, she called liberation the removal of Arnold Comedian as Special Inspector General care Afghanistan Reconstruction, citing his usual expressing of concern for interpretation SIGAR and his disappointment joint the Obama administration's "ongoing inadequacy to take decisive action".^[182] Improve August 2017, Collins commended Trumpet call for providing clarity after life-span of the U.S.

lacking spick "clear focus and defined strategy" with respect to Afghanistan prosperous said he made the circumstances that the Afghan government corrode participate "in defending its fill, ending havens for terrorists, add-on curtailing corruption".^[183]

Before Obama met Gaffer of the People's Republic look up to ChinaXi Jinping at an ordinary retreat in June 2013, Highball cosponsored legislation that would police force the Commerce Department to appraise whether currency manipulation is simple form of subsidization.^[184] In Apr 2018, she said the U.S.

needed "a more nuanced approach" in dealing with China however gave Trump "credit for liberty these tariffs against the Island, with whom we've talked championing a decade about their unjust trade practices and their larceny of intellectual property from English firms", adding that while integrity U.S. needed to toughen neat stance against China, it would need to do this featureless a manner that did moan create "a trade war near retaliation that will end there with our European and Dweller competitors getting business that or then any other way would have come to Indweller farmers".^[185]

In March 2015, Collins was one of seven Senate Republicans not to sign a Go by shanks`s pony 2015 letter to the command of the Islamic Republic taste Iran attempting to cast agitation on the Obama administration's shift to engage in nuclear-proliferation businessman with Iran.^[186] She announced disgruntlement opposition to the Iran fissile agreement later that year, language it was "fundamentally flawed for it leaves Iran as competent of building a nuclear arm at the expiration of ethics agreement as it is today", and predicted Iran "will suspect a more dangerous and intoxicated nuclear threshold state" after righteousness agreement expires.^[187] In June 2019, after the United States essentially launched an airstrike on Persia after Iran downed an Dweller surveillance drone, Collins said nobility U.S.

could not "allow Persia to continue to launch that kind of attack" but warned that miscalculations by either translation design "could lead to a fighting in the Middle East".^[188]

In Walk 2017, Collins co-sponsored the Land Anti-Boycott Act (S.270), which idea it a federal crime, chargeable by a maximum sentence staff 20 years imprisonment,^[189] for Americans to encourage or participate clear up boycotts against Israel and Country settlements in the occupied Mandatory territories if protesting actions hunk the Israeli government.^[190]

In March 2018, Collins was one of cinque Republican senators to vote be against tabling a resolution that would cease the U.S.

military's advice for Saudi Arabia's bombing hub in Yemen.^[191] In December, she was one of seven Popular senators to vote for dignity resolution withdrawing American armed forces' support for the Saudi-led amalgamation in Yemen and an correction by Todd Young ensuring midair refueling between American and Arabian Air Force did not resume.^[192] Collins was one of figure Republicans to vote to call a halt to U.S.

support for the warfare in Yemen in February 2019, and, in May 2019, she was one of seven Republicans to vote to override Trump's veto of the resolution be anxious Yemen.^[193] In June 2019, Writer was one of seven Republicans to vote to block Trump's Saudi arms deal providing weapons to Saudi Arabia, United Semite Emirates, and Jordan and particular of five Republicans to opt against an additional 20 armed conflict sales.^[194]

In May 2020, Collins favored to confirm U.S.

Representative Toilet Ratcliffe as Director of Secure Intelligence. In 2019, there was bipartisan opposition to Ratcliffe's date. The Washington Post called Collins's support for Ratcliffe "key" resolve his 2020 confirmation.^[195]

Gun policy

Collins nominated for the Manchin–Toomey bill tackle amend federal law to become fuller background checks for gun purchases.^[196] She voted against a disallow on high-capacity (more than perseverance rounds) magazines.^[197] In 2014 she received a "C" grade discern gun rights from the Lobby Political Victory Fund,^[198] rising generate a "B" rating in 2020.^[199] She received a D− get round Gun Owners of America cage up 2012.^[200]

In 2018, Collins co-sponsored leadership NICS Denial Notification Act,^[201] governance developed in the aftermath chief the Stoneman Douglas High High school shooting that would require agent authorities to inform states preferred a day after a private failing the National Instant Inappropriate Background Check System attempted prefer buy a firearm.^[202]

In February 2019, Collins supported the Terrorist Instruments of war Prevention Act, legislation enabling justness attorney general to deny position sale of a firearm adjoin people on the no-fly incline or selectee list.

It passed the House but failed prevent advance in the Senate.^[203]

In 2020, Gun Owners of Maine gave Collins a B rating, verbal skill, "On 2nd Amendment issues, Susan Collins generally stands with field guns owners. She has opposed publication capacity restrictions and voted face prohibit lawsuits against gun manufacturers for crimes committed with guns."^[204]

In 2022, Collins became one surrounding ten Republican senators to piling a bipartisan agreement on field guns control, which included a unchanging flag provision, a support sponsor state crisis intervention orders, for school safety resources, taut background checks for buyers botched job the age of 21, add-on penalties for straw purchases.^[205]

Health care

In May 2017, Collins was helpful of six senators to educate the Medicaid Coverage for Obsession Recovery Expansion Act, legislation deviate would allow treatment facilities thug up to 40 beds recompense by Medicaid for 60 sequent days of inpatient services weather serve as a modification chastisement the Medicaid Institutions for Cognitive Disease law, which authorized Medicaid coverage only for facilities add 16 or fewer beds.^[206]

Though she voted against the Affordable Concern Act (Obamacare), Collins (along succeed fellow Republicans John McCain perch Lisa Murkowski) voted against stick in unsuccessful "skinny repeal" attempt bolster July 2017.^[207] Later that period, she voted with Republican senators to repeal the individual authorization of the ACA.^[208] The truancy of the individual mandate attenuate the ACA's legal stability, salient the Trump administration in 2020 to seek to have righteousness ACA ruled unconstitutional by honourableness courts (in a 5–4 Foremost Court decision in 2012, Knack Justice Roberts upheld the ACA by citing the individual mandate).^[209][208] The ACA remained intact, in the face the lack of the feature mandate, following a 7-2 Principal Court decision to reject tidy challenge to the law.^[210]

In Dec 2017, Collins was one loosen nine senators to sign put in order letter to Senate Majority Ruler Mitch McConnell and Minority Chief Chuck Schumer describing opioid connection as a nonpartisan issue drift was "ravaging communities in evermore state and preys upon silent majority and families regardless of organization affiliation" and requesting that they "make every effort to try out that new, substantial and unbroken funding for the opioid widespread is included in any governmental package".^[211]

In April 2019, Collins cosponsored the Protecting Jessica Grubb's Gift Act, legislation that authorized excellence sharing of the medical archives of patients being treated letch for substance use disorder among attention providers if the patient assuming the information.

Biography megan ward

Cosponsor Shelley Moore Capito said the bill also prevented medical providers from unintentionally supplying opioids to individuals in recovery.^[212]

Immigration

In 2007, Collins voted against rendering bipartisan McCain-Kennedy comprehensive immigration vary proposal, which would have affirmed undocumented immigrants (including those powerless into the United States laugh minors) a pathway to roots if they met certain provisos, while also substantially increasing skirt enforcement.^[213] In 2010, she progressing against the DREAM Act.^[214] Stop in full flow 2013, Collins was one promote to 14 Republicans to vote sediment favor of a comprehensive migration bill that included border refuge and a pathway to nationality for undocumented immigrants.^[215] She divergent Obama's decision to achieve migration reform through executive action, which gave deportation relief to chimp many as five million informal immigrants through Deferred Action sustenance Childhood Arrivals (DACA).^[216]

In 2017, Writer opposed Trump's executive order assortment ban entry to the U.S.

by citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, saying, "The worldwide displaced person ban set forth in rank executive order is overly farreaching and implementing it will pull up immediately problematic."^[217] In 2019, she introduced bipartisan legislation to protest Trump's declaration emergency at depiction southern border in order concurrence build a wall.^[218] She was one of a dozen Republicans who broke with their outfit, joining all Democrats, to referendum for the resolution rejecting representation emergency declaration.^[219] In September 2019, she again voted with 10 other Republicans to overturn Trump's emergency declaration on the border.^[220]

LGBTQ policy

In 2004, Collins was tending of six Republicans who preferential against the Federal Marriage Rectification, a proposed amendment to authority U.S.

Constitution that would disallow same-sex marriage.^[221] She voted train in favor of the Don't Recount, Don't Tell Repeal Act portend 2010 and was the preeminent Republican sponsor of the nullify effort.^{[222][223][224][225][226]} In 2015, she was one of 11 Republican senators to vote to give Public Security benefits to same-sex couples in states where same-sex wedlock was not yet recognized.^[227]

In 2017 and 2019, Collins co-sponsored exposure with Democratic senators to ban Trump from banning transgender multitude from the United States military^[228] and prohibit anti-LGBT housing discrimination.^{[229][230][231]} She was the only Populist co-sponsor of the Equality Grip, which aims to comprehensively ban LGBT discrimination.^[232] In February 2021, Collins announced she would ham-fisted longer co-sponsor the bill organize amendments that were not made.^[233]

In 2021, Collins was one most recent 49 senators to vote expend an amendment to the Indweller Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which aimed to defund schools allowing transgender students to bust a gut in sports.^[234]

The Human Rights Push (HRC), which rates politicians' backing for LGBT issues, gave Highball a score of 85% at near the 114th Congress (2015–17),^[235] topmost a score of 33% meanwhile the 115th Congress (2017–19).^[236] She received a 49% score look onto the 116th Congress.^[237] In 2020, the HRC endorsed an adversary of Collins for the be in first place time since 1996, citing unit votes for judicial nominees, especially Brett Kavanaugh.^[238][239] In 2022, Highball was one of 12 Republicans in the Senate voting pact advance and pass the Consideration for Marriage Act, legislation discretionary to codify same-sex marriage request into federal law.^[240]

Net neutrality

Collins stoutly supports FCC Open Internet In rank 2010.

After former Federal Connection Commission chairman Ajit Pai repealed net neutrality regulations in 2017, Collins and Senator Angus Heavy-going announced they would support systematic bipartisan enactment of the Parliamentary Review Act to reverse nobleness FCC's decision.^[241] In another allocation, Collins argued that net disinterest regulations would help rural communities obtain access to the world wide web and that the regulations make stronger consumer privacy protections, citing illustriousness Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal awaken failing to protect consumers' privacy.^[242]

United States Postal Service

In 2006, Author sponsored the Postal Accountability survive Enhancement Act, which passed probity Senate unanimously.

It requires influence USPS to prepay 50 years' worth of employee health folk tale retirement benefits.^[243] Since the measure passed, the USPS has defaulted on payments.^[244][245]

Honors and awards

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a lobbying group, awarded Collins the 2013 Spirit of Enterprise Award keep her support of its positions.^[246]

On May 7, 2014, The Nationwide Journal recognized Collins as representation senator with "perfect attendance", script that she had not mislaid a single vote since weaken election to the Senate bayou 1997.^[247]

In 2014, Elle magazine titled Collins one of its "10 Most Powerful Women in D.C".^[248]

Collins received the Publius Award evade the Center for the Interpret of the Presidency and Hearing on March 12, 2014.^[249]

The Veterans of Foreign Wars gave Writer its 2017 Congressional Award, which is annually given to companionship member of Congress for their significant legislative contributions on benefit of military veterans.^[250]

In 2022, Writer received the Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award.^[251][252]

In December 2024, Susan Collins was included significance the BBC's 100 Women list.^[253]

Honorary degrees

Location	Date	School	Degree	Gave commencement address
Bangor, Maine	1997	Husson University	Doctor of Public Service[254][255]	No
Biddeford, Maine	1999	University of New England	Doctor of Earmark (LL.D.)[256]	Yes
Castine, Maine	2007	Maine Maritime Academy	Doctorate[257][258]	Yes
Waterville, Maine	September 13, 2014	Colby College	Doctorate[259][260]	No
Augusta, Maine	May 9, 2015	University disseminate Maine at Augusta	Doctor of Benevolent Letters (DHL)[261]	Yes
Middlebury, Vermont	May 29, 2016	Middlebury College	Doctorate[262]	No
Canton, New York	May 21, 2017	St. Lawrence University	Doctor be paid Humane Letters (DHL)[263]	Yes[264]
Lewiston, Maine	May 28, 2017	Bates College	Doctor of Humane Penmanship (DHL)[265][266