In her 2020 reelection campaign, Susan Collins plans to emphasize her bipartisanship and her ability to deliver results for Maine. But will Democrats who have voted for Collins in the past support her this time around? Many are questioning Susan Collins’ ability to represent their needs and priorities as long as Mitch McConnell is the Senate majority leader. Susan Collins’ approval ratings have plummeted in recent months, according to a recent survey. She and McConnell now have the Senate’s worst approval ratings. That same survey found that Maine’s independent Senator, Angus King (who caucuses with the Democrats), has the nation’s highest approval ratings.
In 2019, Susan Collins bolstered her record of being the most moderate Republican Senator. She held the record for the most bills cosponsored with the opposite party (64%).1 She has voted in line with President Trump on just 7 of twenty-two votes. But she’s been unable to vote on more than 150 bills passed by the House but blocked by McConnell from reaching the Senate floor for debate and a vote.2 These bills would prevent foreign interference in our elections, fight political corruption, protect patients with pre-existing health problems, prevent voter suppression, and limit corporate spending in our elections. By contrast, Angus King has been an active proponent of these blocked bills.
Here are just three examples of bills passed by the House, co-sponsored by Angus King, and not brought to the floor by Mitch McConnell.
H.R. 987: Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act. Restores funding for the Navigator program. Senate version co-sponsored by Angus King.
The Navigator program is a lifeline for American people trying to figure out the insurance options available to them. By dramatically reducing funding for navigators, we’re putting health coverage a little further out of reach for many Americans – and for the life of me, I don’t know why we would do that. The administration’s continued attempts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act rather than improve it are mind-boggling. It’s well past time for us to stop the political games, and make policy that will help improve the health of the American people.3
Press release, 6/30/2019, Angus King website
H.R. 1, the “For the People Act,” which included a number of anti-corruption measures, as well as enhanced rules and guidelines to increase voter participation. Senate version co-sponsored by Angus King:
Elections are the heart of our democratic system – and during the 2016 election, this central American ideal was the target of a sophisticated and thorough attack by foreign powers. We need to do everything in our power to defend our electoral system, so the American people can know that their government is truly of, by, and for the people.
Press release, 6/20/2019 Angus King website
H.R. 7, the “Paycheck Fairness Act,” which makes it easier for women to challenge pay discrimination. Senate version co-sponsored by Angus King:
In the decades since Congress first passed the Equal Pay Act, we’ve seen real progress to close the wage gap – but it’s also clear that there is still work to be done,” said Senator King. “This legislation would increase pay transparency, empower employees to stand up to discrimination, and hold employers accountable for illegal and unjustifiable practices. It’s the right thing for American workers, the American economy, and American families.
Press release, 2/20/2019, Angus King website
In 2020, we could elect a Democrat to the White House, but if Mitch McConnell is still the Senate Majority leader, he has vowed to continue with his obstructionist agenda. “If I’m still the majority leader in the Senate think of me as the Grim Reaper. None of that stuff is going to pass,” McConnell said recently.
Susan Collins might be committed to representing the values of Mainers, but as a Republican she’s lost the opportunity to act on them. A vote for Susan Collins in 2020 is a vote to maintain the Republican Senate majority and enable Mitch McConnell to maintain his stranglehold on our democracy.