Collins casts 2,000th consecutive vote

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, who has not missed a roll call vote in six years, cast her 2,000th consecutive vote Tuesday.

Aside from freshman senators, Collins is the only current senator with a perfect voting record, according to her staff.

The Maine Republican, who was sworn into office in January 1997, touted her voting streak during her campaign last year against Democrat Chellie Pingree. Collins said she is inspired not to miss votes by former Maine Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, who cast more than 2,900 consecutive votes over 13 years.