Augusta, Maine – In case you missed it, Mainers continue to hammer Senator Susan Collins for her role in the passage of Republicans' dangerous budget bill that will have devastating impacts on Maine – from her “key” “pivotal vote” to advance the bill to her failure to use her power to stop it. This comes as experts stress how difficult it will be for Collins to avoid blame, despite an apparently “orchestrated” vote, as she is in the fight for her political career.

Here’s what they’re saying:

  • Mainer Craig McEwen: “Sen. Collins quietly voted no on the bill after it became clear that it would pass without her vote. 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 […] She could have worked to keep it from coming out of committee and never see the light of day but instead voted to bring it out for a vote. She could have more strongly condemned the bill and worked her power channels with other senators rather than mostly showing her usual ‘concern.’”

  • Mainer Philip Brooks: “I am a medical oncologist and I will be sad when patients are no longer covered by MaineCare or by Medicare, and will be forced to make difficult decisions about how to get their cancer care. I will be sad when we see rural hospitals close and don’t be surprised when you see our largest health care systems no longer able to provide the level of care that we all deserve. [...] The many ramifications of this bill that showers benefits on the richest and punishes those who are in most need are, I believe, on her shoulders.”

  • 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? It is time for her to graciously retire. And yes, this is another example of Collins voting against her party only when it won’t make a difference.”

  • Mainer Stephen King: “As always, Susan Collins counted votes and decided she could vote no and the bill would still pass, thus saving her golden seat in the Senate. She and Murkowski seem to have a pact — whose turn is it to vote no this time?”

  • 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. Her first vote if she’s reelected will be for a Republican majority leader, probably John Thune. This is the same leadership that pushed through this measure.”

See more: ICYMI: Susan Collins “May Not be Able to Avoid the Blame” for GOP Budget Bill Despite Apparently “Orchestrated” Vote [Portland Press Herald]; ICYMI: Despite Collins' Final Vote on Reconciliation, "Republicans Pass it Anyway,” After She Made “Key,” “Pivotal Vote” to Advance Bill in First Place; STATEMENT: COLLINS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ENABLING BILL THAT WILL GUT MAINECARE AND CRITICAL LIFE-SAVING SERVICES MAINERS RELY ON; Portland Press Herald: Budget megabill looks particularly bad for Maine; Mainers Call Out Collins for DOGE, Medicaid Cuts; ICYMI: Mainers Call Out Collins for Failing to Use Her Seniority to Protect Maine; NEW: Collins “Must be Judged by the Standard She Set” [Bangor Daily News Op-Ed]; ICYMI: Susan Collins-Backed Medicaid Cuts Would Hurt Maine’s Fishermen

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