Barrett, however, was ultimately confirmed. Collins returned to Maine in 1994 to run for governor, losing in the general election to Angus King. [16], In December 1994, Collins became the founding executive director of the Center for Family Business at Husson College. With a Republican-controlled Congress, repeal of the PPACA seemed likely. [93], Collins voted to acquit Trump of all charges at his first impeachment trial. Susan Collins in the US . Long characterized as a centrist and moderate, Collins was attacked as a “Republican in name only” by challengers from the political right, especially because she was willing to work with Democratic members of the Senate and with Pres. [96] As of September 2020, according to FiveThirtyEight, she had voted with Trump's positions about 68% of the time, the lowest among all Republican senators. During the campaign she pledged that, if elected, she would serve only two terms. These developments came as Collins faced an increasingly difficult reelection bid. Join Facebook to connect with Susan Collins and others you may know. She was a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs from 2003 to 2007. The Washington Post called Collins's support for Ratcliffe "key" to his 2020 confirmation. The Father of Susan Collins Was a State Senator in Maine. When Congress reconvened after the Capitol was secure, Collins voted to certify the count. Susan Collins: Age: 67 Years: Nick Name: Susan Collins: Birth Name: Susan Margaret Collins: Birth Date: 1953-12-07: Gender: Female: Profession: American Senator: Birth Nation: United States: Place Of Birth: Caribou, Maine, United States: Nationality: American: Father: Donald F. Collins: Mother: Patricia F. Collins: Spouse: Thomas Daffron (m. 2012) Siblings: Kathleen Wiesendanger, Nancy Collins [29], In the 1990s, Collins played an important role during the Senate's impeachment trial of Bill Clinton when she and Snowe sponsored a motion that would have allowed the Senate to vote separately on the charges and the remedy. Furthermore, her father decorated World War II vet. Susan Collins was born on December 7, 1952 in Caribou, Maine, USA as Susan Margaret Collins. [130][better source needed], In 2003, Collins voted in favor of the Iraq War Resolution authorizing President Bush to go to war against Iraq. But that makes the victory doubly satisfying. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. [176], In 2017 and 2019 Collins co-sponsored bills with Democratic senators to prevent Trump from banning transgender people from the United States military[177] and prohibit anti-LGBT housing discrimination. In 1996 she ran for the Senate seat held by Cohen, who was stepping down to become secretary of defense. [152] In 2018, Collins was a cosponsor of the NICS Denial Notification Act,[153] legislation developed in the aftermath of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that would require federal authorities to inform states within a day after a person failing the National Instant Criminal Background Check System attempted to buy a firearm. [107][108] She said she felt "vindication" in 2018 when Kavanaugh voted with the court's four Democratic-appointed justices and Chief Justice John Roberts not to hear cases against Planned Parenthood from Kansas and Louisiana, although Planned Parenthood disagreed with her assessment of the situation. again. She said she had done so on procedural grounds, because the funding did not belong in a stimulus bill: "while worthwhile, [it does] not boost our economy," and "it does not make sense to include $870 million for pandemic flu preparedness. By the end of the 113th Congress in 2015, she had never missed a single Senate vote. As we mentioned earlier, Susan Collins … (1975) in government. [17][18], Collins was elected to the Senate in 1996. GEARED TO FIGHT TERRORISM", "Bush Signs Bill to Revamp U.S. Intelligence Community", "Senators compromise on filibusters: Bipartisan group agrees to vote to end debate on 3 nominees", "GOP senator decries anti-Obama robocalls", "Sen. Collins Defends Role in Axing Pandemic Flu Funds", "GOP Senator Susan Collins argued against $870, "Senators disappointed by response to Fort Hood subpoena", "Senate gets ready for Chuck Hagel showdown", "Senate Allows Nomination Of Chuck Hagel To Move Forward", "Chuck Hagel confirmed as US defence secretary by Senate", "Collins says IRS revelations will fuel government distrust", "Obama: Congress has 'clear choice' on minimum wage", "Centrist Republicans cool to minimum wage hike compromise", "The Senate's Iron Lady: Susan Collins casts 6,000th consecutive vote", "Senate passes broad spending bill with $1.1B in Zika funds", "Senate approves Sen. Collins' provisions to opioid act", "Obama Signs Bill to Curb Opioid Abuse But Decries Low Funding", "GOP senator Susan Collins: Why I cannot support Trump", "Echoing Romney, Susan Collins says she would vote for the Libertarian ticket if Bill Weld were the nominee", "Susan Collins considers Libertarian, write-in for president", "Maine Senator Susan Collins Receives 1 Vote for Vice President in Official Count", "Despite committee vote, Collins says she has not made up mind on Betsy DeVos", "Murkowski on DeVos: 'This nomination is very difficult for me, "Senator Collins Announces She Will Vote Against the Confirmation of Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education", "Two Republican senators say they aren't committed to voting for Betsy DeVos on Senate floor", "Vice President Mike Pence breaks Senate tie to confirm Betsy DeVos as US education secretary", "Sen. Collins says she can't support House health care plan in current form", "Senate GOP health-care bill appears in deeper trouble following new CBO report", "Lisa Murkowski, Shelley Moore Capito, Susan Collins take heat on Twitter for opposing Senate healthcare bill", "Health Care Vote: Senate Rejects Repeal Without Replace", "US Senate rejects bill to repeal Obamacare in huge blow for Trump – live", "GOP Senator Susan Collins urges Trump to back effort to resume health subsidy", "Republican Sen. Susan Collins is calling on the FCC to cancel the net neutrality vote", "GOP senator offers his own net neutrality bill", "Senate passes bill to repealing changes to net neutrality rules", "Senate Democrats score net neutrality win in bid for midterm momentum", "The Lugar Center - McCourt School Bipartisan Index", "Collins ranked most bipartisan U.S. [47], In April 2014, the Senate debated the Minimum Wage Fairness Act (S. 1737; 113th Congress). Senator from the Northeast ranked among the top 10 most bipartisan senators). [12] She is considered a centrist Republican and an influential player in the Senate. Collins is the most senior Republican woman in the Senate, the dean of Maine's congressional delegation, and the only New England Republican in the 116th and 117th Congresses. [80], In September 2018, Collins authored two bills as part of the Opioid Crisis Response Act, a bipartisan package of 70 Senate bills that would alter programs across multiple agencies in an effort to prevent opioids from being shipped through the U.S. [63][64] This caused a 50–50 tie that was broken by Senate President Mike Pence to confirm DeVos. 2965", "Senate Vote 281 – Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell, "Same-Sex Marriage Benefits Endorsed on Senate Floor (Updated)", "Democrat and Republican Senators Move to Stop Trump's Transgender Military Ban", "Senate bill seeks to expand LGBTI housing anti-discrimination protections", "Maine's King and Collins introduce bill to add LGBT people to Fair Housing Act", "Maine senators push to add LGBT people to Fair Housing Act", "Cosponsors - S.788 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Equality Act", "Major LGBTQ rights group endorses Collins opponent for the first time in decades", "Susan Collins' Postal Service overhaul in 2006 becomes a hot issue on the campaign trail", "Collins to get U.S. Chamber award, speak in Waterville Tuesday", "The Best and Worst Attendance Records in the Senate". [125][126], In February 2017, Collins was the only Republican to vote against undoing an Obama administration rule that required coal mining companies to avoid contaminating local waterways. He served in the Maine Senate from 1973 to 1984. She is a producer, known for Pupil of the Eye (2007), The Last Statesman and Frontline (1983). [57][58], In the 2016 United States presidential election, Collins received one electoral vote for vice president from a faithless elector in Washington. [65], In March 2017, Collins said she could not support the American Health Care Act, the House Republicans' plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. [76][77], In January 2018, in response to the Trump administration's not implementing congressionally approved sanctions on Russia, Collins said it was confirmed Russia had tried to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, adding, "not only should there be a price to pay in terms of sanctions, but also we need to put safeguards in place right now for the elections for this year." Collins has defended her votes to support these nominees by citing her support for both of Obama's Supreme Court appointments. [163] In 2013, Collins was one of 14 Republicans to vote in favor of a comprehensive immigration bill that included border security and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. [145] In December, she was one of seven Republican senators to vote for the resolution withdrawing American armed forces' support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen and an amendment by Todd Young ensuring midair refueling between American and Saudi Air Force did not resume. [59], In January 2017, Collins and Senator Lisa Murkowski voted for Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, within the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, passing DeVos's nomination by a vote of 12–11 to allow the full Senate to vote. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. [127] She was the only Republican to vote against the confirmation of Scott Pruitt, and later Andrew Wheeler, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. 2020 elections. First elected in 1996, Senator Collins is the most senior Republican woman. Her comment was seen as hinting at the Intelligence Committee's interest in speaking with Donald Trump Jr. [73] In 2018, Collins was one of three Republicans voting with Democrats to repeal rule changes enacted by the Republican-controlled FCC. In her first three reelection campaigns, she carried every county in Maine. Her father was a highly decorated World War II veteran who served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, while her mother was the Mayor of Caribou. Since she was born on December 7, 1952, her current age is exactly 67 years. Susan Collins was born in 1952 and is currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Maine. [43], In February 2013, Collins announced her opposition to the confirmation of Chuck Hagel for United States Secretary of Defense, citing her belief that Hagel's "past positions, votes and statements [do not] match the challenges of our time." A Republican, she has represented Maine in the Senate since 1997. Official Campaign Facebook Page for Susan Collins for Senator | #1 Most Bipartisan Senator Collins won and took office the following year. She voted with her party more often, about 87% of the time, in 2017. [25][26][27], Although she shared a centrist ideology with Maine's former senator, Olympia Snowe, Collins is considered a "half-turn more conservative" than Snowe. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee studied prescription drug price gouging and … Senator", "Collins: WH decision to not implement Russian sanctions 'perplexing, "Senate advances measure bucking Trump on Russia sanctions", "Legislation co-authored by Sen. Tim Kaine geared to combat Alzheimer's signed into law", "Collins, King vote to pass Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018", "Texas senator introduces bill to produce $1 coin honoring Bushes", "Collins' bill restarting National Scenic Byways Program becomes law", "Senate Intelligence Committee subpoenas Donald Trump Jr. to testify again", "Senators revive effort to create McCain human rights commission", "Sen. Collins, Navy secretary speak at 76th MMA commencement", "Sen. Susan Collins joins effort to honor fallen journalists", "Collins votes against Barrett, heads home to save Senate job". Collins then attended St. Lawrence University and graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. [52] Only William Proxmire has a longer streak. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators Urging Congressional Leadership to Commit Resources to Opioid Epidemic", "Capito seeks better treatment for patients with opioid addiction through sharing of medical records", "The Senate immigration vote: How they voted", "Fails To Advance Dream Act - H.R.5281: Removal Clarification Act of 2010", "Senate Immigration Roll Call Vote: Republicans who voted for the bill", "Some Senate Democrats balk at Obama's unilateral immigration approach", "Coffman, Gardner join Republicans against President Trump's travel ban; here's where the rest stand", "Senate will soon consider resolution to terminate Trump's emergency declaration", "Senate Rejects Trump's Border Emergency Declaration, Setting Up First Veto", "Senate again votes to end Trump emergency declaration on border wall", "Same-sex marriage Senate battle over, war is not", "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Passes Senate 65-31", "Snowe, Collins join majority in repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell, "Eight Republicans back 'Don't Ask' repeal", "Senate Vote On the Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. Susan Collins's zodiac sign is Sagittarius. Her uncle, Samuel W. Collins Jr., sat on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court from 1988 to 1994 and served in the Maine Senate from 1973 to 1984. Senator Collins’ seat is up for election in 2020. "Elle' unveils its '10 Most Powerful Women in D.C. "47th Annual Awards Dinner Honoring Senators Susan Collins and Joe Manchin", "Sen. Susan Collins receives prestigious veterans award", "Senator Collins Delivers Commencement Address at Husson University | Senator Susan Collins", "United States Senator Susan M. Collins to Deliver Husson University's Commencement Address", "Susan Collins, United States Senator for Maine, to Address Class of 2017 at Maine Maritime Academy Commencement", "Senator Collins Introduces Secretary of the Navy at Maine Maritime Academy Graduation | Senator Susan Collins", "Colby Announces Inauguration Details, Honorary Degree Recipients", "Honorary Degree Recipients' Citations | The Inauguration of David A. Greene", "Senator Susan Collins Delivers University Of Maine At Augusta Commencement Address | Senator Susan Collins", "Van Jones to Deliver Middlebury College Commencement Address", "List of Honorary Degree Recipients | Office of the President | Bates College", "Senator Collins Will Receive 12th Honorary Degree", "Visionary educator Geoffrey Canada to deliver 2017 Commencement address, joining honorands Sen. Susan Collins, Wanda Corn, and Patrick Dempsey", "Exclusive: Susan Collins' plight gets worse with new corruption allegation, possible ethics probe", "Susan Collins weds longtime friend in small Caribou ceremony", "Members of Congress: Religious Affiliations", Response to the State of the Union address, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Susan_Collins&oldid=1006185993, Candidates in the 1994 United States elections, Republican Party United States senators from Maine, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles lacking reliable references from October 2020, Pages using Sister project links with default search, Wikipedia articles with SNAC-ID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with USCongress identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 11 February 2021, at 14:57. [138] In April 2018, she said the U.S. needed "a more nuanced approach" in dealing with China but gave Trump "credit for levying these tariffs against the Chinese, with whom we've talked for a decade about their unfair trade practices and their theft of intellectual property from American firms", adding that while the U.S. needed to toughen its stance against China, it would need to do this in a manner that did not create "a trade war and retaliation that will end up with our European and Asian competitors getting business that otherwise would have come to American farmers". Cosponsor Shelley Moore Capito said the bill also prevented medical providers from unintentionally providing opioids to individuals in recovery. In the Senate trial early the next year, Collins voted not to charge the president, and he was acquitted in an almost party-line vote. [52], In May 2016, the Senate passed an appropriations bill containing an amendment by Collins that she said would help prevent the Department of Housing and Urban Development from gaining "national zoning authority for every neighborhood in our country". Collins is the first program delegate elected to the Senate and holds the seat once held by Smith. Susan Collins and the high wire act of being a moderate", "Collins sworn in for historic fifth term in U.S. Senate", "Empowered by an Odds-Defying Win, Susan Collins Is Ready to Deal", "Susan Collins, a Fixture in Maine, Has Twin Troubles: Trump and Kavanaugh", "Donald Collins, father of Sen. Susan Collins, dies at 92", "10 Things You Didn't Know About Susan Collins", "How Maine's GOP Senators Are Key to Obama's Agenda", "Outstanding Maine Students Selected for Senate Youth Program", Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "The 1996 Eletions: State by State - Northeast", "Democrat Sara Gideon concedes to GOP Sen. Susan Collins in Maine", "The political survival of Susan Collins", "Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, Elections and Voting, Tabulations June 12, 2018", "Opinion/Rooks: Split decisions all the way down the ballot", "New focus on Maine's other centrist Republican senator", "While Some Republicans Feel the Weight of Bush's Image, a Senator in Maine Soars", "Major LGBTQ rights group breaks with Sen. Susan Collins, endorses Democratic opponent Sara Gideon", "How Maine voted: Governor's races 1990 - 2014", "Senators Endorse Campaign Inquiry with Wider Scope", "Senate Is Lacking Veto-Proof Vote for Ban on an Abortion Method", "THREATS AND RESPONSES: LEGISLATION; SENATE VOTES, 90-9, TO SET UP A HOMELAND SECURITY DEPT.