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Susan Collins on Corporations
Republican Jr Senator (ME)
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Excess corporate pay rewards risk-taking over results
Collins called for extensive congressional oversight hearings to determine what went wrong and what needs to be done. She said there should be more pressure on corporate boards to curb excessive executive compensation that rewards risk-taking over
long-term results, and called for more market discipline. Collins stopped short of endorsing more regulation of the country’s financial institutions. “It’s not a matter of too little or too much regulation but the right regulation,” she said.
Source: 2008 Maine Senate debate reported in Kennebec Journal
, Sep 21, 2008
1999: Ended practice of deceptive sweepstakes mailings
When Collins first began to study the problem of deceptive sweepstakes practices in 1999, she was initially surprised to learn of the shattered dreams and broken lives that could result from something as seemingly innocuous as a sweepstakes mailing. Now
she is resolutely determined to do something about it. Some victims of sweepstakes mailings had been so certain they were the chosen winners, they expected the Publishers Clearinghouse Prize Patrol to knock on their door and present them with a check
for $10 million. Experts demonstrated how sweepstakes companies targeted elderly citizens with a flood of provocative mailings and phone calls. The representatives of the sweepstakes companies themselves defended their marketing approach, of course, and
attempted to reassure the committee that the sweepstakes conditions were perfectly clear.
In 1999, The Deceptive Mail Prevention & Enforcement Act was signed into law, designed to limit the deceptive techniques and claims used by sweepstakes companies.
Source: Nine and Counting, by Catherine Whitney, p.145-149
, Jul 25, 2000
Voted NO on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore.
Amendment to repeal the tax subsidy for certain domestic companies which move manufacturing operations and American jobs offshore.
Reference: Tax Subsidy for Domestic Companies Amendment;
Bill S AMDT 210 to S Con Res 18
; vote number 2005-63
on Mar 17, 2005
Voted YES on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions.
Amends Federal bankruptcy law to revamp guidelines governing dismissal or conversion of a Chapter 7 liquidation (complete relief in bankruptcy) to one under either Chapter 11 (Reorganization) or Chapter 13 (Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income). Voting YES would:- Declare a debtor eligible only for Chapter 13, as anyone financially capable of paying back their creditors at a rate that still allows them to earn above their state's median income
- Place domestic support obligations such as child support and alimony amongst the first priority claim category of non-dischargeable debts on a debtor filing for bankruptcy
- Require debtors to pay for and attend credit counseling prior to filing for bankruptcy
- Cap home equity protection at $125,000 if the debtor purchased a house within 40 months of filing for bankruptcy.
Reference: Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005;
Bill S 256
; vote number 2005-44
on Mar 10, 2005
Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy.
Vote to pass a bill that would require debtors able to repay $10,000 or 25 percent of their debts over five years to file under Chapter 13 bankruptcy (reorganization and repayment) rather than Chapter 7 (full discharge of debt).
Reference:
Bill HR 333
; vote number 2001-236
on Jul 17, 2001
Rated 78% by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record.
Collins scores 78% by US Chamber of Commerce on business policy
Whether you own a business, represent one, lead a corporate office, or manage an association, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of AmericaSM provides you with a voice of experience and influence in Washington, D.C., and around the globe.
Our members include businesses of all sizes and sectors—from large Fortune 500 companies to home-based, one-person operations. In fact, 96% of our membership encompasses businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
Mission Statement:
"To advance human progress through an economic, political and social system based on individual freedom, incentive, initiative, opportunity, and responsibility."
The ratings are based on the votes the organization considered most important; the numbers reflect the percentage of time the representative voted the organization's preferred position.
Source: COC website 03n-COC on Dec 31, 2003
Screen imports & ban lead in children's products.
Collins co-sponsored screening imports & ban lead in children's products
A bill to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of non-compliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, and for other purposes.
- Requires third party certification of, and provides for tracking and record keeping regarding, children's products.
- [Increase] reporting of substantial product hazards and corrective action plans.
- Requires certain manufacturers or distributors to post an escrow or proof of insurance to cover recalls.
- Allows enforcement by state attorneys general and provides public and private sector whistleblower protections.
- Bans children's products containing lead and lowers the allowable lead content in paint.
- Requires a study of preventable injuries and deaths of minority children related to consumer products.
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Requires a cost-benefit analysis under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act.
- Requires development of a risk assessment methodology regarding imports.
- Requires publication of a list of product defects that constitute a substantial product hazard.
- Conditions importation of a consumer product on the manufacturer's compliance with inspection and record keeping requirements.
- Requires a database on violations of consumer product safety rules to be used to determine whether a container being imported contains consumer products that are in violation of a consumer product safety standard and whether action should be taken under imported products provisions.
House version is H.R.4040.
Source: CPSC Reform Act (S.2663) 08-S2663 on Feb 25, 2008
Expand lending caps for credit unions to small business.
Collins co-sponsored Small Business Lending Enhancement Act
Congressional Summary:
- Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to limit loans outstanding to either 1.75 times the net worth, or 12.25% of the total assets of the credit union.
- Authorizes insured credit unions to make business loans up to 27.5 % of the total assets of the credit union, if the credit union meets specified safety and soundness criteria.
- Directs the development of a tiered approval process, including lending standards, under which an insured credit union gradually increases the amount of member business lending in a manner that is consistent with safe and sound operations.
Supporter's Comments: (by CUNA, a pro-credit union organization)
America's small businesses are the engine of growth of our nation's economy. The effects of the financial crisis of the past few years have spread to all types of lending, resulting in a reduction in the availability
of business credit. At a time when banks are withdrawing credit from America's small businesses, credit unions have actually been expanding credit to small businesses, but with more credit unions approaching the cap, this growth is threatened. Congress should enact legislation which increases the credit union member business lending cap from 12.25% of assets to 27.5% for well-capitalized credit unions
Opponent's Comments: (by the Independent Community Banks of America, Nov. 15, 2012)
The tax-subsidized credit union industry is pressing for doubling the statutory cap Congress placed on member business loans. Shifting assets from tax-paying banks to tax-exempt credit unions would reduce tax revenue to the government; the CBO estimates the revenue impact at $354 million over 10 years. We believe that banks are currently meeting the needs of credit-worthy businesses, as substantiated by numerous business surveys.
Source: HR1418 /S2231 12-S2231 on Mar 22, 2012
Rated 14% by UFCW, indicating a pro-management voting record.
Collins scores 14% by UFCW on labor-management issues
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is North America's Neighborhood Union--1.3 million members with UFCW locals in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Our members work in supermarkets, drug stores, retail stores, meatpacking and meat processing plants, food processing plants, and manufacturing workers who make everything from fertilizer to shoes. We number over 60,000 strong with 25,000 workers in chemical production and 20,000 who work in garment and textile industries.
The UFCW Senate scorecard is based on these key votes: - American Jobs Act (+)
- Balanced Budget Amendment (-)
- Rejecting Cut, Cap, and Balance (+)
- Repeal Health Care Law (-)
- Sen. Am. 14 Wicker Am. to S 223, excluding unionization at TSA (-)
- Sen. Am. 740 McCain Am. to HR 2112, defunding TAA (-)
- Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act (TAA) (+)
Source: UFCW website 12-UFCW-S on May 2, 2012
Regulatory relief for smaller banks stimulates growth.
Collins voted YEA Banking Bill
Congressional Summary:
Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act- TITLE I--IMPROVING CONSUMER ACCESS TO MORTGAGE CREDIT: [for small banks,] requirements are waived if a loan is originated by and retained by the institution
- TITLE II--REGULATORY RELIEF AND PROTECTING CONSUMER ACCESS TO CREDIT: [deregulate] reciprocal deposits [if they] do not exceed 20% of its total liabilities.
- TITLE III--PROTECTIONS FOR VETERANS, CONSUMERS, AND HOMEOWNERS
- TITLE IV--TAILORING REGULATIONS FOR CERTAIN BANK HOLDING COMPANIES
- TITLE V--ENCOURAGING CAPITAL FORMATION
- TITLE VI--PROTECTIONS FOR STUDENT BORROWERS
Supporting press release from Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN-6): This legislation will foster economic growth by providing relief to Main Street, tailor regulations for better efficacy, and most importantly it will empower individual Americans and give them more opportunity.
Opposing statement on ProPublica.org from Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY-5): The bill includes many provisions I support: minority-owned banks and credit unions in underserved communities have legitimate regulatory burden concerns. Unfortunately, exempting mortgage disclosures enacted to detect discriminatory practices will only assist the Trump Administration in its overall effort to curtail important civil rights regulations. I simply cannot vote for any proposal that would help this Administration chip away at laws that I and my colleagues worked so hard to enact and preserve.
Legislative outcome: Passed House 258-159-10 on May 22, 2018(Roll call 216); Passed Senate 67-31-2 on March 14, 2018(Roll call 54); Signed by President Trump. May 24, 2018
Source: Congressional vote 16-S2155 on Mar 14, 2018
Reduce corporate tax rates from 35% to 21% to create jobs.
Collins voted YEA Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Summary by GovTrack.US: (Nov 16, 2017)
For Corporations:- Reduce the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%.
- Overseas earnings would be taxed at 15.5% as opposed to the current 35%. This may seem like an enormous reduction, but current law only taxes overseas earnings if they are returned to the US; the 15.5% rate would apply regardless.
For Individuals:- Lower the rate for the highest earners from 39.6% to 37%.
- Nearly double the standard deductions for individuals but repeal personal exemptions.
- The Affordable Care Act's individual mandate would be repealed.
Case for voting YES by Heritage Foundation (12/19/17):This is the most sweeping update to the US tax code in more than 30 years. The bill would lower taxes on businesses and individuals and unleash higher wages, more jobs, and untold opportunity through a larger and more dynamic economy. The bill includes many pro-growth features, including a deep reduction in the corporate
tax rate, a scaled-back state and local tax deduction, full expensing for five years, and lower individual tax rates. Case for voting NO by Sierra Club (11/16/17): Republicans have passed a deeply regressive tax plan that will result in painful cuts to core domestic programs, to give billionaires and corporate polluters tax cuts while making American families pay the price. Among the worst provisions:
This plan balloons the federal deficit by over $1.5 trillion. Cutting taxes for the rich now means cuts to the federal budget and entitlements later.The bill hampers the booming clean energy economy by ending tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles and for wind and solar energy.The bill opens up the Arctic Refuge to drilling, a thinly veiled giveaway to the fossil fuel industry.Legislative outcome: Passed House, 224-201-7, roll call #699 on 12/20; passed Senate 51-48-1, roll call #323 on 12/20; signed by Pres. Trump on 12/22.
Source: Congressional vote 17-HR1 on Nov 16, 2017
Collins opposes the Christian Coalition survey question on the Death Tax
The Christian Coalition inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Permanent Elimination of the "Death Tax" ?'
Self-description by Christian Coalition of America: "These guides help give voters a clear understanding of where candidates stand on important pro-family issues" for all Senate and Presidential candidates.
Source: CC Survey 20CC-11B on Sep 10, 2020
Page last updated: Sep 17, 2022; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org