Senator Collins Completes Another Congress with a Perfect Consecutive Roll Call Vote Record
Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Susan Collins maintained her perfect roll call vote record through the end of the 115th Congress, bringing her consecutive vote total to 6,834. Senator Collins is the longest-serving current member of the United States Senate to never have missed a roll call vote. She has been present for every roll call vote that has occurred in the Senate since she was sworn into office in January 1997. With the commencement of the 116th Congress today, Senator Collins will now be 12th in Senate seniority.
“It is a great honor to represent the people of Maine in the U.S. Senate. Voting is a Senator’s most important responsibility, and I feel strongly about making every effort possible to be present to make sure Mainers’ voices are heard,” said Senator Collins. “I think it is important, especially when public confidence in Congress is very low, to demonstrate to my constituents that I care deeply about doing a good job for them. People around the country respect Mainers for their dedication and strong work ethic, and I am proud to reflect those values in Washington. My voting streak was inspired by the legendary Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith, who did not miss a vote for 13 years until surgery forced her to do so.”
Senator Collins surpassed Senator Smith’s record in 2005. Senator Smith cast 2,941 consecutive votes over 13 years before missing her first vote on September 6, 1968.
Senator Collins’ first vote in the Senate was on January 22, 1997, when she voted to confirm Madeleine Albright as Secretary of State. Her second vote, the same day, was to confirm former Maine Senator Bill Cohen as Secretary of Defense. Senator Collins replaced Secretary Cohen in the Senate.
In addition to not missing any roll call votes, Senator Collins continues to return home to Maine nearly every weekend and during state work periods to meet with constituents and visit communities, businesses, and schools throughout the state.
