Career Timeline of Susan Collins: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Susan Collins made an impact.

Susan Margaret Collins is the senior United States Senator from Maine, serving since 1997. As a Republican, she is Maine's longest-serving member of Congress and the longest-serving Republican woman senator. She chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee since 2025.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2008: Joined Bipartisan Gang of 20

In 2008, Susan Collins joined the bipartisan Gang of 20 in an effort to resolve a deadlock on a bill concerning offshore drilling, which would allocate billions in proceeds to renewable energy development.

September 2009: Unsure About Sending More Troops to Afghanistan

In September 2009, Susan Collins expressed uncertainty about whether sending more American troops to Afghanistan would help bring an end to the Afghanistan War. She emphasized the need for more American civilians to aid in building up institutions and expanding the Afghan army.

2010: Called for Removal of Arnold Fields

In 2010, Susan Collins called for the removal of Arnold Fields from his position as Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, citing his expressed concerns and disappointment with the Obama administration's actions.

June 2013: Cosponsored Legislation on Currency Manipulation

Before Barack Obama's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in June 2013, Susan Collins cosponsored legislation that would authorize the Commerce Department to investigate whether currency manipulation constitutes a form of subsidization.

February 2017: Voted Against Undoing Coal Mining Rule

In February 2017, Susan Collins was the sole Republican senator to vote against undoing an Obama administration rule that aimed to prevent coal mining companies from contaminating local waterways. She also voted against confirming Scott Pruitt and Andrew Wheeler to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

August 2017: Commended Trump for Clarity on Afghanistan

In August 2017, Susan Collins praised Donald Trump for providing clarity on the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, stating that he made the case that the Afghan government must participate "in defending its people, ending havens for terrorists, and curtailing corruption".

December 2017: Voted to Pass 2017 Republican Tax Plan

In December 2017, Susan Collins voted in favor of the 2017 Republican tax plan, which significantly lowered corporate taxes and altered individual taxes while repealing the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate. Following the vote, she claimed to have received assurances regarding legislation to mitigate adverse effects of the mandate's repeal.

2017: Voted for Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

In 2017, Susan Collins voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which allowed oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, after failing to remove that specific provision from the bill.

April 2018: Called for Nuanced Approach to China

In April 2018, Susan Collins stated that the U.S. needed "a more nuanced approach" in dealing with China, while also acknowledging Donald Trump's efforts to address unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft. She cautioned against creating a trade war that would benefit European and Asian competitors.

January 2021: Voted with Trump's Positions

As of January 2021, Susan Collins had voted with Donald Trump's positions about 65% of the time, which was the lowest percentage among all Republican senators, according to FiveThirtyEight.

February 13, 2021: Vote to Convict Trump in Impeachment Trial

On February 13, 2021, Susan Collins was among seven Republican senators who voted to convict Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial.

May 27, 2021: Voted to Establish Bipartisan Commission to Investigate Capitol Attack

On May 27, 2021, Susan Collins, along with five other Republicans and all present Democrats, voted in favor of establishing a bipartisan commission to investigate the attack on the Capitol. The vote failed due to a lack of the 60 required "yes" votes.

September 30, 2021: Approved Temporary Spending Bill

On September 30, 2021, Susan Collins joined 14 other Senate Republicans, all Democrats, and both Independents to approve a temporary spending bill aimed at continuing government funding and preventing a government shutdown.

October 7, 2021: Voted to Break Filibuster on Debt Ceiling

On October 7, 2021, Susan Collins, along with 10 other Republicans and all members of the Democratic caucus, voted to break the filibuster on raising the debt ceiling. However, she voted against the legislation to actually raise the debt ceiling.

October 28, 2021: 8,000th Consecutive Roll Call Vote

On October 28, 2021, Susan Collins cast her 8,000th consecutive roll call vote in the Senate, joining Chuck Grassley and William Proxmire as the only senators to achieve such a long streak.

2021: Declined to Sign Amicus Brief Supporting Anti-Abortion Law

In 2021, Susan Collins was one of three Republican senators who declined to sign an amicus brief supporting a Mississippi law that banned abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. She denounced the Texas anti-abortion law as "extreme, inhumane, and unconstitutional."

May 11, 2022: Voted Against the Women's Health Protection Act of 2022

On May 11, 2022, Susan Collins voted against the Women's Health Protection Act of 2022, a bill aimed at prohibiting various restrictions on abortion access. She argued that the bill exceeded the standards established in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. She also collaborated with Senators Murkowski and Sinema on drafting the Reproductive Choice Act.

2022: Criticism for Kavanaugh Support After Draft Opinion Leak

In 2022, Susan Collins faced renewed criticism for her support of Brett Kavanaugh following the leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which suggested the court would overturn Roe v. Wade. Protesters wrote a chalk message in front of her home, leading her to call the police.

January 2023: Voted with Biden's Position

According to FiveThirtyEight, as of January 2023, Susan Collins had voted with Joe Biden's position approximately 67% of the time.

2023: Ranked First in Bipartisanship

In 2023, The Lugar Center ranked Susan Collins first among all senators for her bipartisanship.

April 19, 2024: Senate Recognized 9,000th Vote

On April 19, 2024, the Senate acknowledged Susan Collins's 9,000th vote, surpassing Chuck Grassley's previous record of 8,927 votes from earlier in March.

February 2025: Voted to Confirm Trump Nominees

In February 2025, Susan Collins voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services and Russell Vought for the Office of Management and Budget budget director, both of whom were nominated by Donald Trump.