Jackson Criticizes Collins for Advancing 2025 Tax Bill Despite Final 'No' Vote

Democratic nominee Troy Jackson has frequently criticized incumbent Senator Susan Collins for her procedural vote to advance the president's 2025 tax and spending bill, even though Collins ultimately voted against the bill's final passage[10]. Jackson's campaign has consistently highlighted Collins' role in moving the legislation forward in the Senate[7][10].

This line of attack from Jackson aims to question Senator Collins' perceived independence and her record related to the presidential administration, a key theme in the hotly contested Maine Senate race[1][9]. Voters are evaluating how candidates approach legislative processes, including procedural votes that can enable or hinder the progress of significant bills.

What the records show

Senator Collins cast a procedural vote to advance a 2025 tax and spending bill initiated by the president[10]. Maine Democratic leaders, including State Senator Mike Tipping and Maine Democratic Party Vice Chair Imke Schessler-Jandreau, publicly accused Collins of supporting the bill by advancing it[4]. Tipping stated, "She voted to advance this bill because she supported it"[4]. Despite advancing the bill, Collins ultimately voted no on its final passage[10]. Vice Chair Schessler-Jandreau said Collins' procedural vote made her "the deciding vote in giving Trump and Senate Republicans the green light to pass a bill that will have devastating impacts on Maine"[4].

The timeline

On July 14, 2025, Maine Democratic leaders gathered outside Senator Collins' Bangor office to criticize her procedural vote to advance the president's budget bill[4]. State Senator Mike Tipping alleged that Collins wanted tax cuts for millionaires and cared less about Maine residents losing healthcare[4]. During their first debate on October 7, 2026, Jackson "repeatedly brought up her procedural vote to advance the president's 2025 tax and spending bill"[10]. In their final Senate debate on October 15, 2026, Jackson continued to assert that Collins backs the president "when his votes matter"[7][11].

What changed and for whom

The procedural vote on the 2025 tax and spending bill became a persistent point of contention as the November midterm elections approached[1]. For Troy Jackson's campaign, it served as a means to challenge Senator Collins' claims of political independence[10]. For Senator Collins, it became a specific vote she needed to defend or justify within her broader record of legislative actions[4][10].

What the subject has said publicly

Senator Susan Collins has defended her voting record, stating that she has voted against her party more than any other senator[10][12]. She also distanced herself from President Trump, remarking, "I'm not exactly his favorite senator"[5][9]. Regarding her procedural vote on the 2025 budget bill, Collins told Maine Public Radio she "almost always supports motions to proceed when a bill is brought forward by the Senate majority leader"[4]. However, State Senator Mike Tipping disputed this justification, citing instances where Collins voted against advancing major Democratic-led bills, including the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act[4].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the specific provisions of the 2025 tax and spending bill beyond general descriptions that it would "gut essential programs and harm tens of thousands of Mainers"[4].