Collins sides with Big Oil

US Senator Susan Collins, who is running for re-election this fall, voted today to continue massive subsidies for oil corporations, and in opposition to taxing those companies' windfall profits. The vote was technically on a measure to end debate and proceed to a vote on the matter, but her vote to keep debate going ensured there would be no up-or-down vote on the proposal, which would have taken $17 billion in tax breaks over the next 10 years away from oil companies and given it to renewable-energy firms. (See the roll call tally and more info on the bill on the Senate's Web site, here.)

US Senator Olympia Snowe voted to end debate; that vote does not signify her stance on the bill itself. But because the bill may now never come to the floor, we won't know what she would have done.

In the US House, Representative Tom Allen (who is hoping he'll defeat Tom Ledue today and be able to challenge Collins for her seat) voted for the bill, as did Representative Mike Michaud.