Susan Collins
Born 1952 · Age 73
American politician; Republican U.S. Senator from Maine since 1997, widely regarded as a moderate and noted for bipartisan work. Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee since 2025.
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Life & Career Timeline
Family lumber business founded (ancestral)
Ancestors founded the Collins family lumber business in Caribou (not a personal event but formative family background referenced throughout biography).
Born in Caribou, Maine
Susan Margaret Collins born to Patricia (McGuigan) and Donald Collins in Caribou, Maine; family runs a longstanding lumber business.
Graduated Caribou High School; U.S. Senate Youth Program
Graduated from Caribou High School; chosen for the U.S. Senate Youth Program and met Senator Margaret Chase Smith during visit to Washington, D.C.
Graduated St. Lawrence University (BA, magna cum laude)
Earned a B.A. in government, magna cum laude; elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Hired as legislative assistant to William (Bill) Cohen
Began work for Rep. William Cohen; would remain on his staff through his elevation to the Senate and until 1987.
Promoted to staff director, Oversight of Government Management Subcommittee
Became staff director of the Oversight of Government Management Subcommittee on the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Appointed Commissioner, Maine Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation
Governor John R. McKernan Jr. appointed Collins to the Maine cabinet as Commissioner.
Uncle appointed to Maine Supreme Judicial Court
Samuel W. Collins Jr. (her uncle) began service on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court (served 1988–1994).
Appointed New England Regional Director, SBA
President George H. W. Bush appointed Collins director of the Small Business Administration's regional office in Boston.
Served as Deputy State Treasurer of Massachusetts
Served in the office of the Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts under Joe Malone.
Won eight-way Republican primary for Maine governor
Won a contested Republican primary — became the first female major-party nominee for governor of Maine.
Lost Maine gubernatorial general election (third place, 23%)
Finished third in a four-way race with 23% of the vote; Angus King won the election.
Founded Center for Family Business at Husson College (founding executive director)
Became founding executive director (Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business) in Bangor; served until 1996 when she ran for U.S. Senate.
Made a public pledge to serve only two terms
During her 1996 Senate campaign she pledged she would serve only two terms; she later exceeded that pledge, being reelected multiple times.
Announced U.S. Senate candidacy for Maine seat
Entered the race for the Senate seat being vacated by William Cohen; pledged during campaign she would serve only two terms.
Won Republican primary for U.S. Senate (four-way)
Won a competitive multi-candidate Republican primary for the open Senate seat.
Elected U.S. Senator from Maine (defeated Joseph Brennan 49%–44%)
Won the general election to succeed William Cohen, carrying 49% of the vote to Brennan's 44%.
Assumed office as U.S. Senator
Began first Senate term; later became first freshman ever to lead the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (noted by some sources).
Voted to acquit President Bill Clinton in impeachment trial
One of the few Republican senators who voted to acquit on both charges, concluding removal was not warranted.
First freshman senator to lead Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (reported)
Multiple biographical sources note she was the first freshman senator to lead the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (early in her Senate career).
Authored student loan waiver measure for reservists and 9/11 victims (enacted)
Authored a measure to grant Secretary of Education waiver authority for reservists and provide protections for 9/11 victims; bill passed in December 2001.
Reelected to U.S. Senate (58%–42% over Chellie Pingree)
Won a second term with 58% of the vote.
Became Chair, Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee
Assumed chairmanship of the committee overseeing homeland security and federal governmental affairs (served 2003–2007).
Collins–Lieberman Intelligence Reform Act signed into law
Coauthored major intelligence community overhaul (Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act); signed by President George W. Bush December 17, 2004.
Helped forge bipartisan compromise on judicial filibusters
One of 14 senators (7D/7R) who negotiated an agreement limiting judicial filibusters and avoiding the 'nuclear option'.
Named 'Ports Person of the Year' by American Association of Port Authorities
Recognized for work on port security and the SAFE Port Act.
Became Ranking Member, Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
After Democrats took the majority, served as ranking member (2007–2013).
Condemned robocalls in Maine campaign (McCain campaign controversy)
Publicly criticized false/attack robocalls in the 2008 campaign and urged they stop immediately.
Reelected to U.S. Senate (61.5%–38.5% over Tom Allen)
Won a third term with a decisive margin, carrying every county in Maine in her first three reelections.
Voted for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (one of three Republicans)
Broke with most of her party to vote for the $787 billion stimulus package in February 2009.
Removed $870M in pandemic-flu funding from stimulus package
Played a role in excising $870 million in pandemic flu funding from the broader stimulus on procedural grounds.
Issued subpoena with Sen. Lieberman on Fort Hood investigation
Issued subpoena for documents and interviews related to the government's interactions with Nidal Hasan prior to the Fort Hood shooting.
One of two Republicans to back Democratic measure on bailouts/consumer protection
Along with Olympia Snowe, voted for a Democratic measure to prevent bailouts and bolster consumer protections (vote unsuccessful).
Married Thomas A. Daffron
Public record notes marriage to Thomas Daffron (Cohen's former chief of staff) in 2012.
Named 'Legislator of the Year' by American Diabetes Association (example honor)
Received honors from multiple civic and professional organizations including ADA 'Legislator of the Year' and 'Guardian of Small Business' by NFIB (dates vary by award).
Ranking Member, Senate Special Committee on Aging
Served as ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging (2013–2015).
Opposed Chuck Hagel's nomination for Secretary of Defense
Announced opposition citing concerns about his past positions; the nomination was ultimately confirmed after debate and a failed filibuster.
Reelected to U.S. Senate (68.5%–31.5% over Shenna Bellows)
Won a fourth term with 68.5% of the vote.
Chair, Senate Special Committee on Aging
Assumed chairmanship of the Senate Aging Committee (served 2015–Feb 3, 2021).
First Republican woman to win a 5th U.S. Senate term (achieved 2020)
Historic milestone noted in her biography: in 2020 she became the first Republican woman to win a fifth Senate term and the first popularly elected Maine senator to be elected to a fifth term.
Authored opioid and infant-care provisions included in CARA
Authored the Safe Treatments & Opportunities to Prevent Pain Act and Infant Plan of Safe Care Act; included in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA).
Announced she would not vote for Donald Trump
Publicly declared she would not support the Republican presidential nominee, citing concerns about his temperament and behavior.
Received one electoral vote for Vice President (faithless elector)
A faithless elector in Washington cast an electoral vote for Collins as VP.
Voted to advance Betsy DeVos in HELP Committee (committee); later opposed full confirmation
Voted in committee to advance DeVos's nomination but later was one of two Republican senators to vote against confirmation in the full Senate, creating a 50–50 tie broken by the Vice President.
Received large political donations from private equity and hedge funds after tax vote
After voting for the 2017 tax bill, Collins became a top recipient of donations from private equity and hedge-fund executives (examples: $2M to her PAC from Steven Schwarzman; $1.5M from Ken Griffin reported in sources).
Opposed American Health Care Act and GOP repeal without replacement
Announced opposition to the House Republican repeal plan and later voted against Senate repeal efforts; insisted on replacement prior to repeal.
Voted against ACA repeal motions (July votes)
One of seven Republicans to vote against repealing the Affordable Care Act without a suitable replacement (July 26 and July 27 'skinny repeal' votes).
Sent letter urging FCC postpone net neutrality vote (Dec 14, 2017)
With Sen. Angus King, requested the FCC postpone its vote to allow public hearings on repeal of net neutrality rules.
Pivotal Republican vote for Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Voted for the 2017 Republican tax reform package; later publicly expressed concerns about parts of the law.
Ranked most bipartisan senator by Lugar Center (115th Congress)
Lugar Center/Georgetown bipartisan index named Collins the most bipartisan senator during the first session of the 115th Congress.
Faced heavy criticism over Brett Kavanaugh confirmation vote
As a pro-choice Republican, her vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh drew scrutiny; Kavanaugh later joined majority in Dobbs overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Authored bills in bipartisan Opioid Crisis Response Act
Authored two bills included in a 70-bill bipartisan package addressing the opioid crisis; the package passed overwhelmingly (99–1).
BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act signed into law
Coauthored the BOLD Act to provide a public-health approach to Alzheimer’s disease; authorized $20M/year for Centers of Excellence.
Commencement speaker at Maine Maritime Academy; advocated funding for training ship
Made a commencement speech highlighting securing funding for a new training ship as a top priority.
Cosponsored amendment to form John S. McCain III Human Rights Commission
Cosponsored amendment included in defense authorization bill to create a human rights commission honoring John McCain’s priorities.
Cosponsored the Fallen Journalists Memorial Act
Cosponsored bipartisan legislation to establish a memorial honoring journalists who died in the line of duty.
Voted not guilty in President Trump's first impeachment trial
Joined most Senate Republicans in acquittal votes on both articles in the February 2020 trial.
Only Republican senator to vote against Amy Coney Barrett confirmation
Voted against confirming Barrett to the Supreme Court, arguing confirmation should wait until after the election.
Reelected to U.S. Senate (defeated Sara Gideon)
Won a fifth term in a high-profile, expensive race; Collins spent $23M while opponent spent nearly $48M. First Republican woman to win a fifth Senate term and first popularly elected Maine senator to do so.
Led group of 10 Republican senators seeking bipartisan talks on COVID relief
Led 10 GOP senators asking President Biden to include them in bipartisan relief negotiations (Biden later used reconciliation instead).
On Senate floor during January 6 Capitol attack; voted to certify results
Present while certification was interrupted by the mob; called the attack 'dangerous, shameful, and outrageous' and later voted to certify the electoral count.
Voted to convict Donald Trump in second impeachment trial
One of seven Republican senators to vote to convict Trump on the charge of incitement of insurrection (resulted in 57–43 conviction vote but short of 67 required for conviction).
FBI investigation revealed $150,000 funneled to pro-Collins super PAC
FBI probe of defense contractor Martin Kao showed he funneled $150,000 to 1820PAC via a shell LLC and allegedly reimbursed campaign donations — matters examined publicly in May 2021.
Cast 8,000th consecutive roll-call vote
Reached 8,000 consecutive roll-call votes, one of the longest streaks in Senate history.
Voted to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court
One of three Republican senators to vote to confirm Jackson (April 2022 confirmation).
Lugar Center named Collins most bipartisan senator (again/ranked highly)
Lugar Center consistently ranks Collins among the most bipartisan senators; she was ranked first for bipartisanship in 2023 by the Lugar Center.
Became Vice Chair of Senate Appropriations Committee
Served as Vice Chair of Appropriations (January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025); ex officio member of subcommittees as Vice Chair.
Senate recognized 9,000th consecutive vote
Surpassed Senator Chuck Grassley's previous streak; recognized as casting her 9,000th consecutive vote on the Senate floor.
Assumed Chair of Senate Appropriations Committee
Became Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee (succeeded Patty Murray); a major leadership post controlling federal spending bills.
Voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Russell Vought (Trump nominees)
Voted to confirm Trump nominees Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (HHS) and Russell Vought (OMB) in February 2025 per recorded roll calls.
Publicly criticized administration cuts to science funding
In May 2025, criticized the Trump administration for cutting science funding and firing federal scientists.
Key Achievement Ages
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