SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS CASTS 2,000th CONSECUTIVE ROLL CALL VOTE: EVERY VOTE SINCE SHE TOOK OFFICE IN JANUARY 1997

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Susan Collins today reached an impressive milestone in her Senate career when she cast her 2000th consecutive roll call vote. The Senator has been present for every roll call vote that has occurred in the Senate since she was sworn in to office in January 1997.

"I credit this streak to the influence of Margaret Chase Smith, who went for years without missing a vote and didn''t miss one until she was forced to do so because of surgery," said Senator Collins. "I have had to miss many events and cancel many appearances to make sure that I was in Washington to represent Maine when each of these 2000 votes were called in the Senate. I don''t know if I will be able to equal Senator Smith''s record of consecutive votes, but I continue to be inspired by her example."

Former Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith cast 2941 consecutive votes over 13 years. Aside from the Senators sworn into their first terms this January, Senator Collins is the only sitting Senator with a perfect voting record.