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'''Susan Margaret Collins''', born December 7, 1952 in Caribou, [[Maine]] (age {{age|1952|12|7}}), is the senior U.S. senator from Maine and a member of the [[Republican Party]]. Serving in a fairly [[liberal]] state, Collins is frequently labeled as a Republican in Name Only ([[RINO]]). She has often broken with her party and voted with the Democrats, notably in support of [[partial-birth abortion]], [[Homosexual rights advocacy|homosexual "rights"]], and spending bills. It became more clear by September 2020 that she is a RINO following her announced opposition to [[President Trump]]'s potential Supreme Court nominee following the death of [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]].<ref>https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-supreme-court-vacancy</ref> She was the only Republican to vote against the confirmation of [[Amy Coney Barrett]].

'''Susan Margaret Collins''', born December 7, 1952 in Caribou, [[Maine]] (age {{age|1952|12|7}}), is the senior U.S. senator from Maine and a member of the [[Republican Party]]. Serving in a fairly [[liberal]] state, Collins is frequently labeled as a Republican in Name Only ([[RINO]]). She has often broken with her party and voted with the Democrats, notably in support of [[partial-birth abortion]], [[Homosexual rights advocacy|homosexual "rights"]], and spending bills. It became more clear by September 2020 that she is a RINO following her announced opposition to [[President Trump]]'s potential Supreme Court nominee following the death of [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]].<ref>https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-supreme-court-vacancy</ref> She was the only Republican to vote against the confirmation of [[Amy Coney Barrett]].

While she voted with the majority of the Senate in favor of the 2002 "[[Iraq War]] Resolution" authorizing President [[George W. Bush]] to go to war against Iraq,<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/107-2002/s237 H.J.Res. 114 (107th): Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002]</ref> she cosponsored a non-binding resolution with three other liberal Republican Senators that showed the Senate's disapproval of the President's plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq in January 2007. Additionally, in the Obama era, she was one of only three Republicans to support the $787 billion [[economic stimulus package]],<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/787-billion-senate-passes-stimulus-on-60-38-vote/ $787 Billion: Senate Passes Stimulus On 60-38 Vote]</ref> although she worked to reduce $100 billion from the package, along with [[Nebraska]] [[Democrat]] Senator [[Ben Nelson]].<ref>[https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2009/02/the_senate_cut_100_billion_dol.html The Senate Cut $100 Billion Dollars and All Obama Got Were Three Measly Republicans]</ref>

While she voted with the majority of the Senate in favor of the 2002 "[[Iraq War]] Resolution" authorizing President [[George W. Bush]] to go to war against Iraq,<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/107-2002/s237 H.J.Res. 114 (107th): Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002]</ref> she cosponsored a non-binding resolution with three other liberal Republican Senators that showed the Senate's disapproval of the President's plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq in January 2007. Additionally, in the Obama era, she was one of only three Republicans to support the $787 billion [[economic stimulus package]],<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/787-billion-senate-passes-stimulus-on-60-38-vote/ $787 Billion: Senate Passes Stimulus On 60-38 Vote]</ref> although she worked to reduce $100 billion from the package, along with [[Nebraska]], [[Democrat]] Senator [[Ben Nelson]].<ref>[https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2009/02/the_senate_cut_100_billion_dol.html The Senate Cut $100 Billion Dollars and All Obama Got Were Three Measly Republicans]</ref>

Collins was easily reelected to a third term in the U.S. Senate in 2008.<ref>[https://townhall.com/election/2008/senate/me/county Senate County Results]</ref>

Collins was easily reelected to a third term in the U.S. Senate in 2008.<ref>[https://townhall.com/election/2008/senate/me/county Senate County Results]</ref>

==Senate career==

==Senate career==

Susan Collins voting record is moderate and has been consistently one of the most [[liberal]] Republicans in the Senate. In the 1990s, Collins played an important role during the U.S. Senate's impeachment trial of [[Bill Clinton]] when she and fellow Maine Senator [[Olympia J. Snowe]] sponsored a motion that would have allowed the Senate to vote separately on the charges and the remedy. On May 23, 2005, Collins was one of fourteen moderate senators to forge a "compromise" on the Democrats' use of the judicial filibuster, thus allowing the Republican leadership's attempt to control debate without having to exercise the so-called "nuclear option". Under the agreement the [[Democrats]] would retain the power to filibuster a Bush judicial nominee only in an "extraordinary circumstance", and the three Bush appellate court nominees (Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen, and William Pryor) would receive a vote by the full Senate. Senator Collins is a member of The Republican Main Street Partnership and supports stem cell research. She is also a member of The Republican Majority For Choice, Republicans For Choice, The Wish List, Republicans for Environmental Protection, and It's My Party Too.

Susan Collins's voting record is moderate and has been consistently one of the most [[liberal]] Republicans in the Senate. In the 1990s, Collins played an important role during the U.S. Senate's impeachment trial of [[Bill Clinton]] when she and fellow Maine Senator [[Olympia J. Snowe]] sponsored a motion that would have allowed the Senate to vote separately on the charges and the remedy. On May 23, 2005, Collins was one of fourteen moderate senators to forge a "compromise" on the Democrats' use of the judicial filibuster, thus allowing the Republican leadership's attempt to control debate without having to exercise the so-called "nuclear option". Under the agreement the [[Democrats]] would retain the power to filibuster a Bush judicial nominee only in an "extraordinary circumstance", and the three Bush appellate court nominees (Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen, and William Pryor) would receive a vote by the full Senate. Senator Collins is a member of The Republican Main Street Partnership and supports stem cell research. She is also a member of The Republican Majority For Choice, Republicans For Choice, The Wish List, Republicans for Environmental Protection, and It's My Party Too.

Collins supports allowing homosexuals to serve in the military and [[same-sex "marriage"]].<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/us/politics/19cong.html?pagewanted=all</ref><ref>https://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/susan-collins-supports-same-sex-marriage-108339.html</ref>

Collins supports allowing homosexuals to serve in the military and [[same-sex "marriage"]].<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/us/politics/19cong.html?pagewanted=all</ref><ref>https://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/susan-collins-supports-same-sex-marriage-108339.html</ref>

Collins opposes repealing [[ObamaCare]], and supports "fixing" it by keeping much of the law.<ref>Hellmann, Jessie; Carney, Jordain (July 18, 2017). [https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/342534-gops-repeal-only-plan-quickly-collapses-in-senate GOP's repeal-only plan quickly collapses in Senate]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved July 18, 2017.</ref>

Collins opposes repealing [[ObamaCare]], and supports "fixing" by keeping much of the law.<ref>Hellmann, Jessie; Carney, Jordain (July 18, 2017). [https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/342534-gops-repeal-only-plan-quickly-collapses-in-senate GOP's repeal-only plan quickly collapses in Senate]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved July 18, 2017.</ref>

Notwithstanding her views, Collins has a perfect attendance record of over 20 years, not missing one vote since she was sworn into the Senate in 1997.<ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/susan-collins-has-perfect-attendance-she-hasnt-missed-a-senate-vote-in-18-years/445875/ Susan Collins Has Perfect Attendance: She Hasn’t Missed a Senate Vote in 18 Years.]</ref>

Notwithstanding her views, Collins has a perfect attendance record of over 20 years, not missing one vote since she was sworn into the Senate in 1997.<ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/susan-collins-has-perfect-attendance-she-hasnt-missed-a-senate-vote-in-18-years/445875/ Susan Collins Has Perfect Attendance: She Hasn’t Missed a Senate Vote in 18 Years.]</ref>

===National intelligence===

===National intelligence===

Despite being a member of the [[SSCI]], a committee regarded to be one the most corrupt bodies of the [[Deep state]], Collins announced in early May 2020 that she would support and vote in favor of confirming [[John Ratcliffe]], an anti-[[establishment]] conservative nominated by [[President Trump]] to be the [[Director of National Intelligence]].<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/496443-susan-collins-says-she-will-vote-for-trumps-intelligence-chief-nominee Susan Collins says she will vote for Trump's intelligence chief nominee]</ref>

Despite being a member of the [[SSCI]], a committee regarded to be one of the most corrupt bodies of the [[Deep state]], Collins announced in early May 2020 that she would support and vote in favor of confirming [[John Ratcliffe]], an anti-[[establishment]] conservative nominated by [[President Trump]] to be the [[Director of National Intelligence]].<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/496443-susan-collins-says-she-will-vote-for-trumps-intelligence-chief-nominee Susan Collins says she will vote for Trump's intelligence chief nominee]</ref>

===117th United States Congress===

===117th United States Congress===

On January 26, 2021, Collins was one of only five Republican senators to vote against an amendment introduced by Sen. [[Rand Paul]] that would declare the second impeachment attempt against [[Donald Trump]] to be unconstitutional;<ref>Carney, Jourdain (January 26, 2021). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/535925-senate-rejects-paul-effort-to-declare-trump-impeachment-trial Just five GOP senators vote Trump impeachment trial is constitutional]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 26, 2021.</ref> the measure was defeated by a 55–45 vote.

On January 26, 2021, Collins was one of only five Republican senators to vote against an amendment introduced by Sen. [[Rand Paul]] that would declare the second impeachment attempt against [[Donald Trump]] to be unconstitutional;<ref>Carney, Jourdain (January 26, 2021). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/535925-senate-rejects-paul-effort-to-declare-trump-impeachment-trial Just five GOP senators vote Trump impeachment trial is constitutional]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 26, 2021.</ref> The measure was defeated by a 55–45 vote.

==External links==

==External links==