Embattled GOP Sen. Susan Collins is now being called out for some prior shady activity.
The Republican from Maine apparently made a sweetheart deal for husband Thomas Daffron while in office.
As reported by Salon, Sen. Collins allegedly wrote contracting reforms as a member of the Senate Government Affairs Committee that appear to have directly benefited the lobbying and consulting firm of her future husband.
From Salon:
Daffron landed a major $48 million contract with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2013 — the year after Collins stepped away from that committee.
Daffron was chief operating officer at a K Street lobby shop called Jefferson Consulting from 2006 to 2016, which also did some government contracting work. The firm took in nearly $60 million in federal contracts during his time there, with a significant increase after he became COO.
From 2005 to 2012, Collins either chaired or served as a senior GOP member of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee.
Collins is currently tied up in a heated race for her Senate seat. With Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon mounting a spirited challenge. The incumbent even trailing in some national polls.
The latest report indicates that Daffron scored nearly $150 million in federal contracts. Most of which while Sen. Collins served in a powerful position on the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
She also has courted controversy within her party for going against the grain. Sen. Collins widely seen as a key swing vote on major issues. This one however, she is on her own.
As recent reports suggest, GOP Senators may be in for a rude awakening this November. There is a real possibility they could lose the majority. That would likely put Minority Leader and New York Democrat Chuck Schumer in charge.
This is the same Susan Collins that has been very anti-Trump throughout the last 4 years.
Ahead of Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT)said that a “handful” of Senate Republican colleagues have told him privately they would consider voting to remove President Trump from office.
This could be an exaggeration. Senate insiders tell there are only three GOP senators who might vote to convict Trump on any articles of impeachment.
Among them are considered to be Senator Susan Collins of Maine. As well as Utah Senator Mitt Romney. And Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Plus a number of questionable if not undecided GOP lawmakers. The group includes Senators Rob Portman (OH), Ron Johnson (WI.), Tim Scott (SC), Marco Rubio (FL), and Lamar Alexander (TN), that is not seeking re-election.
Collins disclosed that, “I’m definitely reading materials. I’ve started reviewing the transcripts. My staff is doing summaries of some of the witnesses. I’ve asked them to compile each day the major moments in the hearings in the House.”
What sort of consequences might Collins face for this infraction and will the GOP side with her given her past disputes with Trump? Or will she just ride off into the sunset?
