Augusta, Maine – In case you missed it, Susan Collins had a very bad month in July.
From Mainers calling out Collins for her role in advancing Republicans' toxic budget bill, to reports exposing her false claims, to “record low” polling numbers – Collins is entering the month of August already facing the heat of awful headlines, sharp criticism, and revolting reactions from Mainers. And it is only going to get worse for her as she plots her run for reelection.
Here is a short recap of Collins’ July:
CALLED OUT → All month long, everyday Mainers called out Collins for her role in passing Republicans’ dangerous budget bill that will have devastating impacts on Maine.
Mainer Robert Foster: “Once again, Sen. Susan Collins managed to betray her constituents.”
Mainer John Epstein: “She helped facilitate the terrible legislation’s passage by voting ‘yes’ in late June on a procedural vote that allowed the legislation to go to the Senate floor for a full vote [...] She allowed the train to leave the station.”
Mainer Moreen Halmo: “Sen. Susan Collins is out for herself and not for the dear people of the state of Maine. [...] She was the deciding vote in sending the bill forward.”
Mainer Stephen Champagne: “Sen. Susan Collins has been in the U.S. Senate for 28 years and yet she does not have enough respect in the chamber to convince just three other senators to vote against the most patently destructive budget bill in the history of our country?”
Mainer Craig McEwen: “She was never a vocal opponent as was Sen. Angus King or Republican Sens. Rand Paul and Thom Tillis. Due to her failure to help lead opposition to the bill, I believe Collins bears full responsibility for the devastating impact the bill will have on Maine and Mainers.”
Mainer Philip Brooks: “I believe Sen. Susan Collins has let the citizens of Maine and of the country down big time.”
HARSH CRITIQUES & REALITY CHECKS → Mainers and analysts highlighted how Collins “may not be able to avoid the blame” for GOP Budget Bill despite apparently “orchestrated” vote, as she refused to use the power and seniority she campaigns on to stop deeply unpopular legislation.
Mark Brewer, chair of political science at the University of Maine: “You would think as head of the Senate Appropriations Committee – and also a key swing vote – she would have been in a powerful position to shape this kind of legislation.”
Dan Shea, political science professor at Colby College: “The problem is, she is part of a team that pushed forward a measure that will be very unpopular […] she’s also in lockstep with her Republican colleagues in a lot of moves, including leadership.”
University of Maine Political Scientist, Amy Fried: “Her big claim was ‘I will be able to help the state of Maine because someday I’m going to be chair of the Appropriations Committee,’” Fried said. “Well, if the Appropriations Committee isn’t deciding what money goes where, then that just renders that whole thing null and void.”
AS SEEN ON TV → Coverage across Maine showed Maine Democrats calling out Collins in Bangor for her complicity in advancing and the eventual passage of the GOP’s budget bill that will have devastating consequences on Maine.
WABI:
FACT-CHECKED → The Bangor Daily News debunked Collins’ excuse for her “key” “pivotal vote” to advance the Republican budget bill that will have devastating effects on Maine. Collins claimed she voted to advance the bill because she “defer[s]” to the Senate majority leader who “always” has the right to determine what bills come to the floor. But according to the reporting, Collins has a long history of voting against advancing high-profile bills brought by both Democrats and Republicans.
RECORD LOWS → Collins “was dealt a polling blow ahead of her potential reelection bid.” According to reporting, polling from Morning Consult shows Collins hit a “record low” approval rating and the highest disapproval rating in the survey’s history.
ELECTION TROUBLES → A brutal report from TIME highlighted “just how much danger Collins is in as she faces re-election in Maine in 2026,” especially after the passage of Republicans' dangerous budget bill that will have devastating effects on Maine.
The report explores the consequences of Collins’ critical vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, her “protest votes” being “as strategic as they are symbolic,” Collins showing “independence only when it doesn’t really make a difference,” her already “lousy poll numbers,” and the drastic effects Republicans’ budget bill will have on Maine and how Collins “let it proceed.”
ROLE EXPOSED → Reporting from numerous outlets highlighted how the Republican rescission package that will negatively impact national and local public broadcasting outlets, like Maine Public, “would not have passed the Senate had Collins not pulled an amendment she sponsored.” Further reporting revealed Susan Collins’ “succumbed” to a “subtle pressure campaign from her G.O.P. colleagues and the White House” to pull her own amendment to Republicans’ rescissions package that reportedly would have tanked the overall bill and would have been a “defeat for the president.”
“RUBBER-STAMP” → Reporting from MSNBC detailed how Susan Collins “played [her] role and rubber-stamped” a Trump-appointed, anti-choice nominee. Something all too common.
“DECADES-LONG RECORD” → New reporting highlighted Susan Collins “decades-long record of voting to cut Medicaid and Medicare.” And around the historic 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, Maine Dems and health care advocates highlighted Collins' recent “key” “pivotal vote” to greenlight the advancement of Republicans’ dangerous budget bill that makes deep cuts to Medicaid, will rip away health care from more than 61,000 Mainers, force thousands of Maine fishermen to lose their MaineCare, and force Maine hospitals to shut down.
“NO REGRETS?” → The Maine Democratic Party launched a video slamming Collins for having “no regrets” on key votes she has taken that continue to harm Mainers and people across the country. The video highlighted Collins’ long history of doubling down on pivotal votes — including her decisive vote to confirm Kavanaugh, confirming HHS Secretary RFK Jr., and voting against impeaching Donald Trump. WATCH:
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