Tag: Susan Collins

Posted on

Sens. Susan Collins & Joe Manchin Announce ‘Yes’ Votes To Confirm Kavanaugh To Supreme Court

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine announced during a lengthy speech on the floor of the Senate that she will vote ‘yes’ on confirming Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Shortly after her announcement, red state Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin also announced he will vote ‘yes’ as well, which appears to give Kavanaugh the 51 votes he needs for confirmation.

Manchin, in a tough re-election fight in West Virginia, is the only Democrat to cross party lines and vote for Kavanaugh.

Posted on

Sen. Susan Collins: Very Difficult To Imagine Voting For Cassidy-Graham Bill

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine tells CNN’s Jake Tapper she finds it “very difficult” to imagine a scenario where she would vote for the proposed Cassidy-Graham healthcare bill due to a host of complex issues including screwing up Medicaid and the laws governing pre-existing conditions.

Posted on

Sen. Susan Collins On Dueling Rep. Farenthold: “He’s So Unattractive. It’s So Unbelievable”

Rep. Blake Farenhold (R)

Sharp-eared reporter Niv Elis of The Hill noticed this funny exchange between what seems to be Sens. Jack Reed and Susan Collins speaking near an open mic.

During the hot-mic chat, Collins mentions GOP House Rep. Blake Farenthold, who had publicly announced he’d want to settle things with female senators against the Trumpcare bill with a duel.

Reed quickly assures Collins that she could “beat the shit” out of Farenthold. Collins goes on to note, “He’s so unattractive. It’s unbelievable.”

The “unattractive” Farenthold is in the pic above in his pajamas. Just to gross you out a little more, apparently the “M” on the hand of the young lady on the left is to let bartenders know she’s a minor.

I know. I know.

Listen to the exchange below.

Posted on

GOP Sen. Susan Collins: “I Will Not Be Voting For Donald Trump”

Wow – this is a surprise.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine has penned an op-ed for the Washington Post wherein she announces she is the seventh Republican Senator to not vote for GOP White House nominee Donald Trump.

Collins opens thusly:

“I will not be voting for Donald Trump for president. This is not a decision I make lightly, for I am a lifelong Republican. But Donald Trump does not reflect historical Republican values nor the inclusive approach to governing that is critical to healing the divisions in our country. When the primary season started, it soon became apparent that, much like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mr. Trump was connecting with many Americans who felt that their voices were not being heard in Washington and who were tired of political correctness.

“But rejecting the conventions of political correctness is different from showing complete disregard for common decency. Mr. Trump did not stop with shedding the stilted campaign dialogue that often frustrates voters. Instead, he opted for a constant stream of denigrating comments, including demeaning Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) heroic military service and repeatedly insulting Fox News host Megyn Kelly.

“With the passage of time, I have become increasingly dismayed by his constant stream of cruel comments and his inability to admit error or apologize. But it was his attacks directed at people who could not respond on an equal footing — either because they do not share his power or stature or because professional responsibility precluded them from engaging at such a level — that revealed Mr. Trump as unworthy of being our president.”

Bolding is mine.

It’s worth noting that Collins is not a showboating “Ted Cruz” type of U.S. Senator. She is not some kind of “big-shot” power player in Washington.

She is a moderate who is well-liked by just about everyone. She has a 78% approval rating and not up for reelection until 2020. So, she didn’t need to raise her voice.

But she did.

For Collins to weigh in like this says a lot.

Posted on

Maine Sen. Susan Collins becomes fourth Republican Senator to endorse same-sex marriage

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine has become the fourth GOP senator to endorse same-sex marriage.

Sen. Collins said in a statement: “A number of states, including my home state of Maine, have now legalized same-sex marriage, and I agree with that decision.”

The Human Rights Campaign responded by endorsing Collins for reelection:

“Senator Susan Collins has played a pivotal role in advancing support for LGBT equality — from her dogged support for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” to her critical vote for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act last year, to her proud support for marriage equality,” said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “HRC is proud to stand with Senator Collins, and with allies on both sides of the aisle like her, because she firmly believes that every American should be evaluated based on their abilities, and not who they love.”

“I am grateful for the support that I continue to receive from the Human Rights Campaign for my work in the Senate to end discrimination and achieve LGBT equality,” said Senator Collins. “HRC fully understands the need to have allies in both the Republican and Democratic caucuses, and I am proud of the reputation that I have established for working with my Senate colleagues of both parties in a bipartisan spirit for fairness and equality. I look forward to our continued work together to bring people together and remove barriers that divide us.”

While The Randy Report clearly leans left, I’ve always said I appreciate the moderates on both sides of the aisle in government. Susan Collins has consistently been open to finding common ground on a multitude of issues, including those of particular importance to the LGBT community.

I agree with the HRC in their endorsement.

Collins joins three other Republican senators who have publicly stated their support for same-sex marriage: Illinois’ Mark Kirk, Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski and Ohio’s Rob Portman.