Collins Watch
@collinswatch.bsky.social
Keeping an eye on Maine's senior senator and Maine politics since 2006. Send tips/thoughts to collinswatch@protonmail.com. susancollinswatch.substack.com
@mainenewsroom.com has a sharp, concise report on Susan Collins and the self-dealing provision she snuck into the government funding bill. #MEpolitics
🌲 Maine Newsroom on Instagram: "11/19 Senator Collins’ shutdown-ending bill included an at least $500k (each) cash grab for eight other senators, with provisions to make it harder for the federal gove...
The controversial provision was added to the continuing resolution package and has sparked outrage among Democrats and some Republicans. The bill aims to allow the senators to sue for damages from the...
www.instagram.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:44 AM
@mainenewsroom.com has a sharp, concise report on Susan Collins and the self-dealing provision she snuck into the government funding bill. #MEpolitics
The House of Representatives has now unanimously (!) voted to claw back the vile and corrupt self-dealing provision that Susan Collins successfully snuck into the government funding bill, reportedly at Majority Leader Thune's request.
An indefensible, politically-damaging self-own. #MEpolitics
An indefensible, politically-damaging self-own. #MEpolitics
November 20, 2025 at 2:24 AM
The House of Representatives has now unanimously (!) voted to claw back the vile and corrupt self-dealing provision that Susan Collins successfully snuck into the government funding bill, reportedly at Majority Leader Thune's request.
An indefensible, politically-damaging self-own. #MEpolitics
An indefensible, politically-damaging self-own. #MEpolitics
Memo to Susan Collins: Maybe don't brag about being the author of the bill if you want to preserve the ability to deny involvement later on.
Also best not to leave your fingerprints all over a politically toxic provision -- so that credible media reports tell readers you slipped it in. #MEpolitics
Also best not to leave your fingerprints all over a politically toxic provision -- so that credible media reports tell readers you slipped it in. #MEpolitics
November 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Memo to Susan Collins: Maybe don't brag about being the author of the bill if you want to preserve the ability to deny involvement later on.
Also best not to leave your fingerprints all over a politically toxic provision -- so that credible media reports tell readers you slipped it in. #MEpolitics
Also best not to leave your fingerprints all over a politically toxic provision -- so that credible media reports tell readers you slipped it in. #MEpolitics
Susan Collins kept calling it a "clean" funding bill.
Meanwhile she slipped in a corrupt, reactionary and politically toxic provision that even House GOP agree stinks to high heaven.
And now that the bill's passed...and folks have caught on...she wants to distance herself?!?
Come on! #MEpolitics
Meanwhile she slipped in a corrupt, reactionary and politically toxic provision that even House GOP agree stinks to high heaven.
And now that the bill's passed...and folks have caught on...she wants to distance herself?!?
Come on! #MEpolitics
You've gotta think Susan Collins and her team are in full-on panic mode over this.
Credit to Bangor Daily News for an accurate headline. tinyurl.com/kk49tv4c #MEpolitics
Credit to Bangor Daily News for an accurate headline. tinyurl.com/kk49tv4c #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Susan Collins kept calling it a "clean" funding bill.
Meanwhile she slipped in a corrupt, reactionary and politically toxic provision that even House GOP agree stinks to high heaven.
And now that the bill's passed...and folks have caught on...she wants to distance herself?!?
Come on! #MEpolitics
Meanwhile she slipped in a corrupt, reactionary and politically toxic provision that even House GOP agree stinks to high heaven.
And now that the bill's passed...and folks have caught on...she wants to distance herself?!?
Come on! #MEpolitics
You've gotta think Susan Collins and her team are in full-on panic mode over this.
Credit to Bangor Daily News for an accurate headline. tinyurl.com/kk49tv4c #MEpolitics
Credit to Bangor Daily News for an accurate headline. tinyurl.com/kk49tv4c #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 10:49 PM
You've gotta think Susan Collins and her team are in full-on panic mode over this.
Credit to Bangor Daily News for an accurate headline. tinyurl.com/kk49tv4c #MEpolitics
Credit to Bangor Daily News for an accurate headline. tinyurl.com/kk49tv4c #MEpolitics
Look, we're totally on board with the idea that Senate candidate histories, character, finances etc etc deserve scrutiny and coverage from local media. Amen.
But surely at least a CHUNK of articles on candidates should be about policy. A third? A quarter?
Right now we're at like 1-2%. #MEpolitics
But surely at least a CHUNK of articles on candidates should be about policy. A third? A quarter?
Right now we're at like 1-2%. #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Look, we're totally on board with the idea that Senate candidate histories, character, finances etc etc deserve scrutiny and coverage from local media. Amen.
But surely at least a CHUNK of articles on candidates should be about policy. A third? A quarter?
Right now we're at like 1-2%. #MEpolitics
But surely at least a CHUNK of articles on candidates should be about policy. A third? A quarter?
Right now we're at like 1-2%. #MEpolitics
In the 19 years we've been following #MEpolitics we can recall only one article focusing on the millions and millions of dollars Susan Collins has raised for and funneled to candidates (always/only Republicans) whose views she claims to abhor.
It's off-brand so the press stays mum. #MEpolitics
It's off-brand so the press stays mum. #MEpolitics
Susan Collins is spending today fundraising for an anti-abortion extremist and the spearheader of W. Bush's Social Security privatization efforts.
#mesen #mepolitics
#mesen #mepolitics
November 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
In the 19 years we've been following #MEpolitics we can recall only one article focusing on the millions and millions of dollars Susan Collins has raised for and funneled to candidates (always/only Republicans) whose views she claims to abhor.
It's off-brand so the press stays mum. #MEpolitics
It's off-brand so the press stays mum. #MEpolitics
This didn't used to happen. Now it does. Susan Collins is a big reason why.
It's been a while since Kavanaugh and Dobbs but we shouldn't get inured to this sorta thing and the 2026 ME-SEN election is a rare chance to make one of the people most responsible for it pay a political price. #MEpolitics
It's been a while since Kavanaugh and Dobbs but we shouldn't get inured to this sorta thing and the 2026 ME-SEN election is a rare chance to make one of the people most responsible for it pay a political price. #MEpolitics
NEW:
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This didn't used to happen. Now it does. Susan Collins is a big reason why.
It's been a while since Kavanaugh and Dobbs but we shouldn't get inured to this sorta thing and the 2026 ME-SEN election is a rare chance to make one of the people most responsible for it pay a political price. #MEpolitics
It's been a while since Kavanaugh and Dobbs but we shouldn't get inured to this sorta thing and the 2026 ME-SEN election is a rare chance to make one of the people most responsible for it pay a political price. #MEpolitics
Majority Forward out with an ad slamming Susan Collins for the corrupt, self-dealing provision she slipped into the recent funding bill that could net eight of her Senate GOP colleagues $500,000 or more. #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Majority Forward out with an ad slamming Susan Collins for the corrupt, self-dealing provision she slipped into the recent funding bill that could net eight of her Senate GOP colleagues $500,000 or more. #MEpolitics
"The Senate race has so far not focused too heavily on policy disagreements but rather more on the personal contrasts between Platner...and Mills," says the outlet that has run article after article on personal contrasts while ignoring policy entirely. (Like every other Maine outlet.) #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 1:06 PM
"The Senate race has so far not focused too heavily on policy disagreements but rather more on the personal contrasts between Platner...and Mills," says the outlet that has run article after article on personal contrasts while ignoring policy entirely. (Like every other Maine outlet.) #MEpolitics
Remember last week when serial capitulator Angus King said there was a better chance of the ACA tax credits getting extended if Dems caved than if they stood up to Trump?
How's that analysis looking? #MEpolitics
How's that analysis looking? #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Remember last week when serial capitulator Angus King said there was a better chance of the ACA tax credits getting extended if Dems caved than if they stood up to Trump?
How's that analysis looking? #MEpolitics
How's that analysis looking? #MEpolitics
"Susan Collins and Senate Republicans barely defeat effort by Democrats to force release of Epstein files" --Bangor Daily News headline, September 10, 2025 tinyurl.com/2r98rjy2 #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 2:08 AM
"Susan Collins and Senate Republicans barely defeat effort by Democrats to force release of Epstein files" --Bangor Daily News headline, September 10, 2025 tinyurl.com/2r98rjy2 #MEpolitics
This is the core problem for Susan Collins in 2025-6:
She wants credit for being a super powerful committee chair...but under Trump her committee has no power and the work product sucks. So she's stuck with this "Schrödinger's Collins" shtick where she's both all-powerful AND helpless. #MEpolitics
She wants credit for being a super powerful committee chair...but under Trump her committee has no power and the work product sucks. So she's stuck with this "Schrödinger's Collins" shtick where she's both all-powerful AND helpless. #MEpolitics
Galaxy's most powerful senator Susan Collins this AM: I was "responsible for not only putting the bill together, but also managing it on the Senate floor, dealing with proposals to change it."
Passive victim Susan Collins this PM: I "played no role" in a critical part of the bill. #MEpolitics
Passive victim Susan Collins this PM: I "played no role" in a critical part of the bill. #MEpolitics
Susan Collins, this morning: I did all of the bill. Me me me.
Susan Collins, just now: lol jk
#mesen #mepolitics
Susan Collins, just now: lol jk
#mesen #mepolitics
November 18, 2025 at 11:02 PM
This is the core problem for Susan Collins in 2025-6:
She wants credit for being a super powerful committee chair...but under Trump her committee has no power and the work product sucks. So she's stuck with this "Schrödinger's Collins" shtick where she's both all-powerful AND helpless. #MEpolitics
She wants credit for being a super powerful committee chair...but under Trump her committee has no power and the work product sucks. So she's stuck with this "Schrödinger's Collins" shtick where she's both all-powerful AND helpless. #MEpolitics
Galaxy's most powerful senator Susan Collins this AM: I was "responsible for not only putting the bill together, but also managing it on the Senate floor, dealing with proposals to change it."
Passive victim Susan Collins this PM: I "played no role" in a critical part of the bill. #MEpolitics
Passive victim Susan Collins this PM: I "played no role" in a critical part of the bill. #MEpolitics
Susan Collins, this morning: I did all of the bill. Me me me.
Susan Collins, just now: lol jk
#mesen #mepolitics
Susan Collins, just now: lol jk
#mesen #mepolitics
November 18, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Galaxy's most powerful senator Susan Collins this AM: I was "responsible for not only putting the bill together, but also managing it on the Senate floor, dealing with proposals to change it."
Passive victim Susan Collins this PM: I "played no role" in a critical part of the bill. #MEpolitics
Passive victim Susan Collins this PM: I "played no role" in a critical part of the bill. #MEpolitics
That would appear to be Graham Platner out with picketing/striking nurses at Houlton Regional Hospital.
WABI says nurses have been negotiating for a new contract for over a year. tinyurl.com/yc6n4vwh #MEpolitics
WABI says nurses have been negotiating for a new contract for over a year. tinyurl.com/yc6n4vwh #MEpolitics
Nurses with the Maine State Nurses Association/NNU are striking for safe staffing, and improved patient care! Tell hospital CEO Jeff Zewe to stop union busting & bullying nurses! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
November 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
That would appear to be Graham Platner out with picketing/striking nurses at Houlton Regional Hospital.
WABI says nurses have been negotiating for a new contract for over a year. tinyurl.com/yc6n4vwh #MEpolitics
WABI says nurses have been negotiating for a new contract for over a year. tinyurl.com/yc6n4vwh #MEpolitics
"Why did you slip in a provision to pay GOP senators $500,000?" is a question that could be asked of Susan Collins if even one reporter in Maine or DC had the temerity to pose it to her.
(Same is true of: "Why have you held zero oversight hearings under Trump?") #MEpolitics
(Same is true of: "Why have you held zero oversight hearings under Trump?") #MEpolitics
On Maine right-wing radio this morning, Susan Collins says she was “responsible for not only putting the bill together, but also managing it on the Senate floor, dealing with proposals to change it…”
So why did she slip in the provision to pay GOP Senators 500k?
#mesen #mepolitics
So why did she slip in the provision to pay GOP Senators 500k?
#mesen #mepolitics
November 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
"Why did you slip in a provision to pay GOP senators $500,000?" is a question that could be asked of Susan Collins if even one reporter in Maine or DC had the temerity to pose it to her.
(Same is true of: "Why have you held zero oversight hearings under Trump?") #MEpolitics
(Same is true of: "Why have you held zero oversight hearings under Trump?") #MEpolitics
Isn't the real headline here that Laurel Libby -- supposedly on the verge of becoming some sort of MAGA/anti-establishment superstar -- has refashioned herself as an errand-runner for a 5-term senator who's been working in Washington DC since the 1970s? #MEpolitics
Billionaire-fueled super PAC taps Laurel Libby to run point on an allied federal super PAC as well as a 501(c)4 nonprofit and a state PAC to help Susan Collins.
Will be interesting to read the financial disclosures for the PACs. Lots of money gonna be sloshing around in Maine next year. #MEpolitics
Will be interesting to read the financial disclosures for the PACs. Lots of money gonna be sloshing around in Maine next year. #MEpolitics
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Isn't the real headline here that Laurel Libby -- supposedly on the verge of becoming some sort of MAGA/anti-establishment superstar -- has refashioned herself as an errand-runner for a 5-term senator who's been working in Washington DC since the 1970s? #MEpolitics
Susan Collins endorses an incompetent, racist, anti-choice crank to be her own House rep. Sounds about right. #MEpolitics
Fake moderate Susan Collins again throws her support behind extreme psycho Paul LePage
#mesen #mepolitics
www.notus.org/2026-electio...
#mesen #mepolitics
www.notus.org/2026-electio...
November 17, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Susan Collins endorses an incompetent, racist, anti-choice crank to be her own House rep. Sounds about right. #MEpolitics
One of the more accurate polling outfits of the 2024 cycle per Nate Silver says Susan Collins trails a generic Democrat by 8%; outperforms a generic Republican by (only?) 2%; and has some built-in advantages with the pool of voters that remains undecided. tinyurl.com/crmy6pcc #MEpolitics
November 17, 2025 at 1:21 PM
One of the more accurate polling outfits of the 2024 cycle per Nate Silver says Susan Collins trails a generic Democrat by 8%; outperforms a generic Republican by (only?) 2%; and has some built-in advantages with the pool of voters that remains undecided. tinyurl.com/crmy6pcc #MEpolitics
This headline comes up at the top of a Google News search for Susan Collins, but when you click on it you get an error message at FoxNews.com. tinyurl.com/5f3j3jt2 #MEpolitics
November 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
This headline comes up at the top of a Google News search for Susan Collins, but when you click on it you get an error message at FoxNews.com. tinyurl.com/5f3j3jt2 #MEpolitics
Angus King's capitulation to Trump has obviously hurt his political standing and undermined the prospects of his son's longshot gov campaign.
But you gotta think it's also not great for Mills since it makes livid Dems more likely to decide: "That's it! No more genteel 75+ year olds!" #MEpolitics
But you gotta think it's also not great for Mills since it makes livid Dems more likely to decide: "That's it! No more genteel 75+ year olds!" #MEpolitics
November 16, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Angus King's capitulation to Trump has obviously hurt his political standing and undermined the prospects of his son's longshot gov campaign.
But you gotta think it's also not great for Mills since it makes livid Dems more likely to decide: "That's it! No more genteel 75+ year olds!" #MEpolitics
But you gotta think it's also not great for Mills since it makes livid Dems more likely to decide: "That's it! No more genteel 75+ year olds!" #MEpolitics
Susan Collins, who purports to run the Senate Appropriations Committee -- the committee responsible for doling out money and making sure it's well spent -- has held zero oversight hearings since she took over as chair.
Zero. #MEpolitics
Zero. #MEpolitics
First, let's back up.
Noem has starred in a sprawling ad campaign she’s said is a crucial tool to stem illegal immigration—so crucial that DHS bypassed the normal competitive bidding process, designed to prevent waste & corruption in federal contracts www.propublica.org/article/kris...
Noem has starred in a sprawling ad campaign she’s said is a crucial tool to stem illegal immigration—so crucial that DHS bypassed the normal competitive bidding process, designed to prevent waste & corruption in federal contracts www.propublica.org/article/kris...
Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rule...
www.propublica.org
November 16, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Susan Collins, who purports to run the Senate Appropriations Committee -- the committee responsible for doling out money and making sure it's well spent -- has held zero oversight hearings since she took over as chair.
Zero. #MEpolitics
Zero. #MEpolitics
Anger among Mainers at Angus King gets the Weekend Edition treatment on @npr.org: tinyurl.com/yeaspxca #MEpolitics
November 16, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Anger among Mainers at Angus King gets the Weekend Edition treatment on @npr.org: tinyurl.com/yeaspxca #MEpolitics
Susan Collins tucked this corrupt, self-dealing provision into the supposedly "clean" funding bill. (tinyurl.com/499bfz8k)
How is this not disqualifying all by itself? #MEpolitics
How is this not disqualifying all by itself? #MEpolitics
They're running from it now. But the fact that Senate Republicans tried to give 10 of their colleagues at least $1 million each for nothing but a bogus press op captures the corruption of Trump II. In no other environment wld this even occur to the most corrupt politicians.
November 16, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Susan Collins tucked this corrupt, self-dealing provision into the supposedly "clean" funding bill. (tinyurl.com/499bfz8k)
How is this not disqualifying all by itself? #MEpolitics
How is this not disqualifying all by itself? #MEpolitics
Hard to know where this goes with Angus. He's still got five years left in his term!
Skeptical he'd ever resign over a backlash. OTOH his reputation/legacy -- how he's seen by the public -- seems to loom larger with him than it does for e.g. Collins or Golden.
Being hated kinda sucks. #MEpolitics
Skeptical he'd ever resign over a backlash. OTOH his reputation/legacy -- how he's seen by the public -- seems to loom larger with him than it does for e.g. Collins or Golden.
Being hated kinda sucks. #MEpolitics
I’m so disappointed too! I’m on the ACA and it’s about to triple. I really thought they would hold a line and get those subsidies reinstituted. I really think he needs to resign. It’s not fair that we have to wait till 2030! This is more than just the ACA it’s about democracy itself!
November 15, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Hard to know where this goes with Angus. He's still got five years left in his term!
Skeptical he'd ever resign over a backlash. OTOH his reputation/legacy -- how he's seen by the public -- seems to loom larger with him than it does for e.g. Collins or Golden.
Being hated kinda sucks. #MEpolitics
Skeptical he'd ever resign over a backlash. OTOH his reputation/legacy -- how he's seen by the public -- seems to loom larger with him than it does for e.g. Collins or Golden.
Being hated kinda sucks. #MEpolitics