Maine’s congressional delegation could be called to vote as soon as this week on a Republican effort that could create another government shutdown fight as it tries to pass a bill to outlaw noncitizen voting, which is already illegal in federal elections.
Two of the four Maine members — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, and U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat facing Republican state Rep. Austin Theriault of Fort Kent in another charged race in the swing 2nd District — are interesting to watch given their party affiliation and past voting records. For now, both are staying quiet on their next steps.
Congress returned Monday from the August recess and must pass another short-term spending plan by Sept. 30 to fund the government for six more months. But the task is complicated by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, including a proposal in the spending package requiring states to get proof of citizenship when registering a person to vote.
It is illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. No states allow it in their elections. Some cities do, though none in Maine do. Studies have not found any credible evidence for it happening broadly, but former President Donald Trump and other Republicans have made baseless claims about it while playing to a base that views immigration as a key issue.
Of particular interest are the votes from Collins, a Republican who was one of seven GOP senators to vote to convict Trump for his role in inciting the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, and Golden, a Democrat who voted to initially advance the noncitizen voting legislation this summer.
Last October, a faction of Republicans helped oust McCarthy as speaker after he worked with Democrats on a funding deal to keep the government open and avert a shutdown. Johnson replaced McCarthy, and he said last week Congress must keep the government funded and also “ensure that only American citizens can decide American elections.”
Opponents have noted it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote, saying that Johnson is caving to the farther-right elements of his party in an election year move. It is unclear if the Senate would even take up the measure with the noncitizen voting provision in it. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, has reportedly vouched against its inclusion.
“This tactic didn’t work last September, and it will not work this year either,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said in a statement with Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, who chairs the Senate appropriations panel that Collins serves as top Republican on.
The move will put pressure on vulnerable House Democrats. Golden was one of five House Democrats to join all Republicans in voting to advance a version of the noncitizen bill by a 221-198 margin in July. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, had introduced the legislation in May. The other House Democrats to back it alongside Golden also face tough elections this year.
A spokesperson for Collins, who is not up for reelection until 2026, did not respond Monday to a request for comment. Asked Monday for Golden’s latest stance as Congress resumes business, Golden spokesperson Mario Moretto said there was “nothing to report there yet.”
Golden worked earlier this year with members such as Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania, to try to reach a bipartisan border and foreign aid deal that included a reinstating of Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, which made asylum seekers stay in Mexico while awaiting case decisions.
Trump took credit in February for helping tank a different bipartisan deal backed by Collins in the Senate as he sought to deny President Joe Biden an election year accomplishment. Vice President Kamala Harris, who has since replaced Biden on the ticket, has bashed Trump for defeating the bipartisan border bill.
Maine’s two other members of Congress are more clear on where they stand with the noncitizen voting bill. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat representing the 1st District, voted against the standalone measure in July. Pingree said Monday it is “laying the groundwork for future election denialism and undermining confidence in our democracy.”
“It’s irresponsible to put America’s full faith and credit at risk by attaching a redundant — and partisan — bill to Congress’ most basic act: keeping the lights on and the government open,” U.S. Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said.
