Skip to main content
The Full Record
Menu
Portrait of Susan M. CollinsPhoto: unitedstates.github.io

ME · Officeholder

Susan M. Collins

RU.S. Senator · Maine

On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: U.S. Senate · Maine

Biography

Susan Collins is the Republican U.S. Senator from Maine, first elected in 1996 and now in her fifth term. A native of Caribou, she worked for Sen. William Cohen, held Maine and federal appointive posts and was the Republican nominee for governor in 1994 before entering the Senate. She chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for a sixth term.[1][2][3][4]

Susan Collins was born on December 7, 1952, in Caribou, Maine, one of six siblings raised by Pat and Don Collins. Her family runs a lumber business founded in 1844, and both of her parents served as mayor of Caribou.[1] She graduated from Caribou High School in 1971 and from St. Lawrence University, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1975.[1]

Collins began working for Maine Rep. William Cohen in 1975 and stayed on his staff when he was elected to the Senate, rising to staff director of the Oversight of Government Management Subcommittee of the Committee on Governmental Affairs.[1] Gov. John McKernan appointed her Commissioner of the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation in 1987, and President George H.W. Bush appointed her director of the Small Business Administration's New England regional office in 1992. She served as a deputy state treasurer of Massachusetts in 1993.[1][2][6] In 1994 she became founding executive director of the Center for Family Business at Husson College, now Husson University.[1]

That year Collins won an eight-way Republican primary on June 14 and became the first Maine woman to receive a party nomination for governor. On election night she conceded to the two front-runners, Angus King and Joseph Brennan, with her own tally in third place at 23% of the vote.[4][5][6]

Collins was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996, succeeding Cohen, and was re-elected in 2002, 2008, 2014 and 2020. Her Senate biography says she was the first Republican woman to win a fifth term and has cast more than 10,000 consecutive votes.[1] In the 2025-2026 session she chairs the Appropriations Committee and also serves on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and Intelligence committees.[1][2] Her Senate biography says she is married to Thomas A. Daffron and lives in Bangor, Maine.[1]

  1. 1.About Senator Collins · U.S. Senator Susan Collins Official record
  2. 2.Susan Collins (Maine) · Ballotpedia Reference
  3. 3.United States Senate election in Maine, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
  4. 4.Susan Collins: A life of service · Bangor Daily News · 2017-10-13 News report
  5. 5.Snowe, Baldacci claim victory; King-Brennan race a tossup · Bangor Daily News · 1994-11-09 News report
  6. 6.Susan Collins · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.

On the ballot

Full candidate research ›U.S. Senate · Maine ›

Also on the ballot for this seat

Ashley WebbCandidateDU.S. Senate · MaineMaineBrent AndrewsCandidateUnaffiliatedU.S. Senate · MaineMaineGina OswaldCandidateINDU.S. Senate · MaineMaineJoseph SteinbergerCandidateFaith in Humanity PartyU.S. Senate · MaineMaineMichael TurcotteCandidateUnenrolledU.S. Senate · MaineMaineSigrid Ann OlsonCandidateDU.S. Senate · MaineMaineTroy Dale JacksonCandidateDU.S. Senate · MaineMaine

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 140 of 841 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (54), Foreign affairs & defense (44), Health & care (25)

  • Booker Amdt. No. 6805; To increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.

    A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6805, which would increase the limit on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury coverage for student athletes. (AI-written)

    What it does: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences t…

    Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 45–0, Republicans 2–50

    Sep 28, 2026Official record ↗

  • H. Con. Res. 89; A concurrent resolution directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.

    What it does: This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran or any part of its government or military unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force f…

    Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 43–1, Republicans 4–49

    Sep 24, 2026Official record ↗

  • Confirmation: Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General

    What it does: Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General.

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–45, Republicans 50–2

    Aug 8, 2026Official record ↗

  • Confirmation: Kara Marie Westercamp, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of International Trade

    What it does: Confirms Kara Marie Westercamp as a Judge of the U.S. Court of International Trade.

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–45, Republicans 50–1

    Jul 21, 2026Official record ↗

  • H. Con. Res. 86; A concurrent resolution directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.

    What it does: This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military forc…

    Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 44–1, Republicans 4–46

    Jun 23, 2026Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

PN1129 · U.S. SENATE

Confirmation: Keith Sonderling, of F.L., to be Secretary of Labor

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Nomination

Confirms Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor.

AI summary — read the bill text ↗
Confirmed 47–41·Substantive·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
PN1129 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Invoke Cloture: Keith Sonderling to be Secretary of Labor

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Cloture Motion

A yes vote ended debate (cloture) so the Senate could move to a final vote on the nomination of Keith Sonderling to be Secretary of Labor. (AI-written)

Agreed to 53–47·Procedural·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9340 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to H.R. 9340; A bill to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a Federal standard relating to the recovery of the full, incremental costs of upgrades that serve large-load customers, and for other purposes.

YesVOTED

Motion: On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed

A yes vote would have ended debate on whether the Senate should begin considering H.R. 9340, a bill setting a federal standard on recovering the costs of upgrades serving large-load electricity customers (cloture on the motion to proceed). (AI-written)

Ratepayer Protection Act The bill requires state utility regulators and nonregulated utilities to consider implementing a standard to hold certain large-load customers responsible for the costs associated with any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrade of electric service necessary to serve such customers.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 57–43·Procedural·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 7008 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed: H.R. 7008; A bill to amend chapter 131 of title 5 to require certain restrictions on stocks for Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents, and for other purposes.

YesVOTED

Motion: On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed

A yes vote would have ended debate on whether the Senate should begin considering H.R. 7008, a bill requiring certain restrictions on stocks held by Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents (cloture on the motion to proceed). (AI-written)

Stop Insider Trading Act This bill generally prohibits Members of Congress and their spouses and dependent children from purchasing stocks and requires public notice before these individuals may sell stocks.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 53–47·Procedural·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
S.Res. 852 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Discharge S. Res. 852; A resolution requesting information on Israel's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Motion to Discharge

A yes vote would have discharged S.Res. 852, requesting information on Israel's human rights practices under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, from committee so the Senate could consider it. (AI-written)

As introduced, requests that the Secretary of State give Congress, within 30 days, a statement on Israel's human rights practices, including information on alleged killings of U.S. citizens by Israeli forces or settlers since 2022, Americans held in Israeli prisons and detained Palestinian children.

AI summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 47–51·Procedural·Sep 29, 2026Roll call ↗
S.J.Res. 197 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Proceed to S.J. Res. 197; A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program".

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Motion to Proceed

A yes vote would have moved the Senate to take up S.J.Res. 197, a resolution to disapprove the CMS rule on the 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters and the Basic Health Program. (AI-written)

Overturns the federal health agency's 2027 rule setting payment parameters and standards for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, including insurer user fees, broker rules, hardship exemptions and catastrophic-plan options, so the rule has no legal effect.

AI summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 48–51·Procedural·Sep 29, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

S. 4668, as amended; A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage of the Bill

Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 77–22·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

Booker Amdt. No. 6835; To establish certain standards with respect to coaches of varsity sports teams.

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6835

A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6835, which would establish certain standards for coaches of varsity sports teams. (AI-written)

Amendment purpose (official): To establish certain standards with respect to coaches of varsity sports teams.

Bill summary: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 47–52·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

Booker Amdt. No. 6805; To increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6805

A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6805, which would increase the limit on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury coverage for student athletes. (AI-written)

Amendment purpose (official): To increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.

Bill summary: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 49–50·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

Kennedy Amdt. No. 6760; To limit price increases for college athletics tickets.

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6760

A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6760, which would limit price increases for college athletics tickets. (AI-written)

Amendment purpose (official): To limit price increases for college athletics tickets.

Bill summary: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 42–54·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 911 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.