Susan Collins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Susan Collins
Official portrait, 2014
United States Senator from Maine
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1997 Serving with Angus King
Preceded by	William Cohen
Committee positions Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee Incumbent Assumed office January 3, 2025 Preceded by Patty Murray Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025 Preceded by Richard Shelby Succeeded by Patty Murray Chair of the Senate Aging Committee In office January 3, 2015 – February 3, 2021 Preceded by Bill Nelson Succeeded by Bob Casey Jr. Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015 Preceded by Bob Corker Succeeded by Claire McCaskill Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2013 Preceded by Joe Lieberman Succeeded by Tom Coburn Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007 Preceded by Joe Lieberman Succeeded by Joe Lieberman
Personal details
Born	Susan Margaret Collins (1952-12-07) December 7, 1952 (age 72) Caribou, Maine, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Thomas Daffron ​ (m. 2012)​
Relatives	Donald Collins (father) Patricia McGuigan (mother) Samuel Collins (uncle)
Education	St. Lawrence University (BA)

Susan Margaret Collins (born December 7, 1952) is an American politician. She serves as a United States senator for Maine. She is a member of the Republican Party. Senator Collins has held her seat since 1997. She is Maine's longest-serving member of Congress.

Born in Caribou, Maine, Collins graduated from St. Lawrence University. She started her career as a staff assistant for Senator William Cohen in 1975. Later, she became a commissioner for the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation in 1987. In 1992, President George H. W. Bush appointed her director of the Small Business Administration's regional office in Boston.

Collins was first elected to the Senate in 1996. She has been reelected four times: in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020. She led the Senate Special Committee on Aging from 2015 to 2021. She also chaired the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs from 2003 to 2007. Collins is known as a moderate Republican. She is the only Republican from New England in the current Congress.

Early Life and Education

Susan Collins was born in Caribou, Maine. She is one of six children. Her family has a lumber business that started in 1844. Her parents, Patricia and Donald Collins, both served as mayor of Caribou. Her father also served in the Maine Legislature.

Collins's mother was born in Colombia to American parents. Susan Collins has English and Irish family roots. Her uncle, Samuel W. Collins Jr., was a judge on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

Collins went to Caribou High School. She was president of the student council. In 1971, she joined the United States Senate Youth Program. This program allowed her to visit Washington, D.C. She met Maine's first female U.S. Senator, Margaret Chase Smith. Collins is the first person from this program to be elected to the Senate. She now holds the seat once held by Senator Smith.

After high school, she attended St. Lawrence University in New York. She graduated in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in government. She earned high honors, like her father.

Early Political Career

After college, Collins worked for U.S. Senator William Cohen from 1975 to 1987. She also directed a subcommittee focused on government management.

In 1987, Collins joined the cabinet of Governor John R. McKernan Jr.. She became the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation. In 1992, President George H. W. Bush appointed her as the New England director for the Small Business Administration.

She then moved to Massachusetts. In 1993, she became Deputy State Treasurer of Massachusetts.

Returning to Maine, Collins ran for governor in 1994. She was the first woman nominated by a major party for governor of Maine. She finished third in the election. After this, she became the founding director of the Center for Family Business at Husson University.

In 1996, she ran for the U.S. Senate. Her former boss, William Cohen, was leaving the seat. With his support, she won the primary election. She then defeated her opponent, Joseph E. Brennan, in the general election.

Serving in the U.S. Senate

Collins with President Barack Obama

Collins was elected to the Senate in 1996. She has been reelected multiple times. In her first three reelections, she won every county in Maine.

In 2020, she won a challenging race against Sara Gideon. This election was the most expensive in Maine's history. Collins is known as a moderate Republican. She is an important voice in the Senate.

She became Maine's senior senator in 2013. This happened when Senator Olympia Snowe retired.

Key Actions in the Senate

First Term Highlights

In the 1990s, Collins played a role during the Senate's impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton. She and Senator Snowe proposed a way to vote on the charges and the punishment separately. They voted to acquit, believing Clinton's actions were not enough to remove him from office.

In 2001, Collins wrote a bill to help military reservists and National Guard members. It allowed them to pause federal student loan payments during active duty. It also helped victims and families of the September 11 attacks. The bill passed in December 2001.

In 2002, the Senate approved creating the United States Department of Homeland Security. This new department was formed to protect the country. Collins supported its creation.

Second Term Highlights

In 2004, Collins helped create a law to improve U.S. intelligence. It created a new position, the Director of National Intelligence. This person would oversee spy agencies. The law also set standards for driver's licenses and birth certificates. President George W. Bush signed this bill into law.

In 2005, Collins was part of a group of 14 senators. This group, called the "Gang of 14," found a compromise. It helped avoid a major political conflict over judicial appointments.

In 2008, Collins criticized certain campaign calls. She said these tactics had no place in Maine politics.

Third Term Highlights

Collins, right, stands near President Barack Obama as he signs the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell

In 2010, Collins was one of two Republicans to vote for a bill that aimed to prevent financial bailouts. It also sought to strengthen consumer protection.

In 2014, the Senate discussed raising the federal minimum wage. Collins tried to find a compromise bill. However, she was not able to get enough support for it.

Fourth Term Highlights

Collins, Lamar Alexander, and Lindsey Graham meet with President Donald Trump in November 2017

In 2016, Collins helped pass a bill to prevent the Department of Housing and Urban Development from gaining too much power over local zoning. She also wrote the Safe Treatments and Opportunities to Prevent Pain Act.

In August 2016, Collins announced she would not vote for Donald Trump for president. She said she felt he was not suitable for the office.

In January 2017, Collins voted for Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education in committee. However, she later voted against DeVos's confirmation in the full Senate. This led to a tie vote, broken by Vice President Mike Pence.

Collins opposed Republican plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) without a suitable replacement. She voted against several attempts to repeal it. She also called for bipartisan efforts to stabilize health care.

In December 2017, Collins and Senator Angus King asked the FCC to delay a vote on net neutrality. They worried that repealing net neutrality could harm the U.S. economy.

In 2017, Collins was ranked the most bipartisan senator. This means she worked well with both parties.

In January 2018, Collins expressed concern about Russia's interference in U.S. elections. She called for safeguards for future elections. She also voted to block Trump from lifting sanctions on certain Russian companies.

In 2018, Collins helped write the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act. This law focuses on a public health approach to Alzheimer's disease. It was signed into law in 2019.

In February 2020, Collins voted "not guilty" in the first impeachment trial of Donald Trump.

On October 26, 2020, Collins was the only Republican senator to vote against confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

Fifth Term Highlights

On January 6, 2021, Collins was at the Capitol when it was attacked. She called the attack "frightening and appalling." She blamed Trump for "inciting this mob." She later voted to certify the election results.

In January 2021, Collins led a group of Republican senators. They asked President Joe Biden to work with both parties on his COVID-19 relief plan.

On February 13, 2021, Collins was one of seven Republican senators to vote to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial.

Collins cast her 8,000th consecutive vote in October 2021. She cast her 9,000th vote in April 2024. Only two other senators have had longer streaks.

Collins voted to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. She was one of only three Republican senators to support her.

Committee Roles

For the current Congress, Collins serves on these committees:

• Committee on Appropriations (Vice Chair)
  • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Defense (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
  • Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security
• Select Committee on Intelligence

Political Views

With former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe (also R-ME)

Collins is known as a moderate Republican and a centrist. This means she often works with both parties. She has voted with her party about 59% of the time from 1997 to 2016. She voted with President Obama's positions about 75.9% of the time in 2013. During Trump's presidency, she voted with his positions about 65% of the time. As of 2023, she has voted with President Biden's positions about 67% of the time.

In 2023, Collins was ranked first among senators for bipartisanship.

Economy

In 2003, Collins voted for the Bush tax cuts. In 2009, she was one of only three Republicans to vote for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This act aimed to boost the economy.

In December 2017, Collins voted for the 2017 Republican tax plan. This bill lowered taxes for businesses and some individuals.

Collins voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This plan provided COVID-19 economic relief. In September 2021, she voted with other senators to approve a temporary spending bill. This bill kept the government funded. She also voted to raise the debt ceiling in October 2021.

Environment

In 2008, Collins joined a group of senators to address offshore drilling. They sought to use proceeds for renewable energy.

In February 2017, Collins was the only Republican to vote against undoing a rule. This rule required coal mining companies to avoid polluting local waterways. She also voted against the confirmation of Scott Pruitt and Andrew Wheeler to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

Collins has a high score from the League of Conservation Voters. This group supports environmental protection.

Foreign Policy and National Security

In 2003, Collins voted to authorize President Bush to go to war against Iraq. In 2007, she supported a proposal to set a timeline for withdrawing troops from Iraq.

In 2009, Collins said more American civilians were needed in Afghanistan. She believed they could help build institutions there.

Collins has supported efforts to address China's trade practices. She has also expressed concerns about Iran's nuclear program.

In March 2017, Collins co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act. This bill aimed to make it a federal crime to encourage boycotts against Israel.

Collins has voted to end U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia's operations in Yemen. She has also voted to block certain arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

Gun Policy

Collins voted for a bill to expand background checks for gun purchases. However, she voted against a ban on high-capacity magazines.

In 2018, Collins co-sponsored a bill. It would require federal authorities to inform states when someone fails a background check to buy a gun.

In 2019, Collins supported a bill to prevent gun sales to people on the no-fly list.

In 2022, Collins was one of ten Republican senators to support a bipartisan agreement on gun control. This agreement included support for state crisis intervention orders and stronger background checks for young buyers.

Health Care

In May 2017, Collins helped introduce a bill. It would allow Medicaid to reimburse treatment facilities for addiction recovery services.

Collins voted against the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). However, she voted against an attempt to repeal it without a suitable replacement. Later, she voted to repeal the individual mandate of the ACA.

Immigration

In 2007, Collins voted against a comprehensive immigration reform proposal. This proposal would have offered a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. In 2013, she was one of 14 Republicans to vote for a comprehensive immigration bill.

In 2017, Collins opposed President Trump's executive order to ban entry to the U.S. from certain Muslim-majority countries. In 2019, she introduced a bill to oppose Trump's emergency declaration at the southern border. She voted with other Republicans and all Democrats to reject this declaration.

Net Neutrality

Collins strongly supports net neutrality. This means that internet service providers should treat all data on the internet equally. After net neutrality rules were repealed in 2017, Collins supported efforts to restore them. She argued that net neutrality helps rural communities get internet access. She also said it strengthens consumer privacy.

Awards and Recognition

• In 2013, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce gave Collins the Spirit of Enterprise Award.
• In 2014, The National Journal recognized her for "perfect attendance." She had not missed a single vote since 1997.
• In 2014, Elle magazine named her one of its "10 Most Powerful Women in D.C."
• In 2017, the Veterans of Foreign Wars gave her their Congressional Award. This award recognizes legislative contributions for military veterans.
• In 2022, Collins received the Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award.
• In December 2024, the BBC included Susan Collins on its 100 Women list.

Honorary Degrees

Collins has received several honorary degrees from universities:

Personal Life

Collins is married to Thomas Daffron. He worked as a chief operating officer at a consulting group. They married on August 11, 2012, in Caribou, Maine. Collins is Roman Catholic.

Images for kids

• 

  Official portrait, 2014

• 

  Collins with President Barack Obama

• 

  Collins, right, stands near President Barack Obama as he signs the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell

• 

  Collins, Lamar Alexander, and Lindsey Graham meet with President Donald Trump in November 2017

• 

  With former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe (also R-ME)

See also

In Spanish: Susan Collins para niños

• Women in the United States Senate