As a former community banker and lawmaker, I commend Senator Susan Collins for co-authoring the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Senator Collins played a key role creating this program that has become a life saver for small businesses and nonprofits.

In the face of crisis, her quick action saved nearly 240,000 jobs and 27,000 small employers in Maine alone. Maine businesses received over $1.2 billion in PPP loans – one of the highest approval rates (per capita) in the country.

Since 1996, Senator Collins has put Maine people first and the PPP is just one example. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she has persistently advocated for investment in Maine’s vital transportation system and community development projects. She has supported our major industries: shipbuilding, logging, fisheries, farming, and technology. She is a voice for education from pre-K to higher ed. She is a strong advocate for our veterans and first responders. She is a proponent of access to health care, including diabetes and Alzheimer's treatment, and now, Covid-19. After the 9/11 attacks, she helped overhaul our homeland security. 

That’s quite a record. 

Senator Collins is 12^th in seniority, an influential US Senator committed to serving Maine people. Most important, she has never missed a roll call vote – over 7,000. She’s a clear, moderate voice in a very bipartisan Congress. We need Senator Collins now more than ever.

Thank you, Senator! You have my vote in November.

Jayne Crosby Giles lives in Belfast.