Mike Collins (politician) explained

Mike Collins
State:Georgia
Term Start:January 7, 2023
Predecessor:Jody Hice
Birth Date:2 July 1967
Birth Place:Jackson, Georgia, U.S.
Party:Republican Party
Spouse:Leigh Ann Collins
Children:3
Relatives:Mac Collins (father)
Education:Georgia State University (BA)

Michael Allen Collins Jr. (born July 2, 1967) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Early life and career

Collins graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor's degree in business. He has operated several businesses, including a trucking company.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2022

Collins ran to represent in the United States House of Representatives in the 2014 elections, when incumbent Paul Broun was not seeking reelection. Collins finished in second place in the primary election to Jody Hice, advancing to a runoff election.[1] Hice defeated Collins in the runoff.[2]

After Hice announced that he would not seek reelection in the 2022 elections, Collins announced his candidacy.[3] Collins and Vernon Jones advanced to a runoff election,[4] and Collins defeated Jones in the runoff on June 21.[5] Collins defeated Tabitha Johnson-Green, the Democratic nominee, in the November 8 general election.[6]

After his election, Collins drew attention for hiring Brandon Phillips as his chief of staff. Phillips was arrested in November 2022 on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty for kicking a dog, and had two previous criminal incidents, including pleading guilty to criminal trespassing and battery for a 2008 incident when he attacked a man and slashed his car's tires, and threw a woman's laptop.[7]

118th Congress

Impeachment Inquiry into Joe Biden

On December 13, 2023, Collins voted to formalize the impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden.[8]

Budget

Collins was among the 71 Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[9]

In December 2023, Collins used a music-themed Mariah Carey display on the floor of the United States House of Representatives titled "All I want for Christmas is 12 appropriations bills".[10]

Counternarcotics

In December 2023, Collins's H.R. 1734 Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality (TRANQ) Act passed both the House and the Senate and was sent to the President of the United States to be signed into law. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Collins was "in line to become the first member of this year’s freshman class to see a bill signed into law."[11] [12]

Collins's 10th District is located within Georgia's I-75 Central Corridor.[13]

Foreign policy

Collins was among 47 Republicans to vote in favor of 2023's H.Con.Res. 21 which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[14] [15]

Collins voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[16] [17] Collins supports the United States selling weapons to Taiwan, but voted against providing military aid to Ukraine during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[18]

Transportation

Collins called for the impeachment and resignation of United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in 2023.[19]

Immigration

On January 24, 2024, Collins introduced a bill he called the "RAZOR Act" which would ban federal authorities from removing razor wire placed along the border with Mexico by the State of Texas and the Texas National Guard.[20] [21]

After a migrant in New York City was released from jail without bail in February 2024 after allegedly attacking a police officer; Collins suggested the migrant be executed. Collins stated on X that the migrant should be given "a ticket on Pinochet Air for a free helicopter ride back.” Collins's post referenced the Chilean government's killing of dissidents on death flights carried out during the rule of Augusto Pinochet.[22] The migrant Collins had suggested be executed was later cleared of wrongdoing after the Manhattan District Attorney's office announced he had been misidentified.[23]

After the Killing of Laken Riley, who was a Georgia resident, Collins introduced the Laken Riley Act, which requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain undocumented immigrants charged with theft. The Laken Riley Act has passed the House of Representatives.[24] [25]

Social media

Collins frequently posts memes on social media, jokingly declaring that "Press Releases are out, memes are in."[26] In March 2024, Collins replied "Never was a second thought" to an antisemitic post on X by user "Garbage Human", who was implicitly disparaging Washington Post journalist Maura Judkis for being Jewish. "Garbage Human" later confirmed they were alluding to Judkis' religion. Esther Panitch, the only Jewish member of the Georgia State Legislature, criticized Collins, saying "It’s one thing to mistakenly respond to an antisemitic account. It’s another thing to double down on it and gaslight us like it never happened.” Collins denied his post on X was antisemitic, stating he had called Judkis a "garbage human" because she had said the United States was "built on stolen land."[27] [28] [29] [30]

In April 2024, amidst the ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses, Collins tweeted, "Not sure what y'all are doing up north, but we don't give them the time to encamp. Tazers set to stun!" Collins's post on X/Twitter was accompanied by a one-minute-17-second video clip depicting a series of scenes from the police crackdown on protesters at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, including a scene in which a Black man is seen lying on the ground in handcuffs while a Georgia State Patrol officer applies a taser to his leg and fires it. Other scenes in the video showed police struggling with protesters, protesters in handcuffs seated near an Atlanta Police prisoner transport van, and footage where the sound of police firing rubber bullets can be heard.[31] [32] In May 2024, Collins approvingly shared footage of counter-protesters at the University of Mississippi heckling pro-Palestinian protesters. Collins praised the counter-protesters, posting “Ole Miss taking care of business." The footage showed a white student engaging in racist mockery of a pro-Palestinian black student by imitating a monkey. The video also showed the counter-protesters chanting "Lock her up!" at the pro-Palestinian student.[33] [34] [35]

In May 2024, following reports that presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. once said that a parasitic worm had been found in his brain, Collins posted on X, "You either die a Kennedy with a hole in the brain or live long enough to become a Kennedy with a hole in the brain", referring to the assassinations of Kennedy's father and uncle. His remark drew criticism.[36] [37]

In July 2024, after Donald Trump was injured in an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Collins stated on his X account, without evidence, that Trump's 2024 United States presidential election opponent Joe Biden "sent the orders" for the shooting and that Butler County's district attorney "should immediately file charges against [Biden] for inciting an assassination."[38] [39]

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:[40]

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Collins's father, the late Mac Collins, also served in the House of Representatives, representing Georgia's 3rd congressional district.[42]

Collins and his wife, Leigh Ann, have three children.[42] Collins is a Methodist.[43] Collins's business 'Collins Trucking' is a sponsor of the Butts County, Georgia, Historical Society.[44]

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hice, Collins move on to July runoff. Kelsey. Cochran. Online Athens. June 22, 2022. June 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220622025113/https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/politics/2014/05/21/hice-collins-move-july-runoff/15531081007/. live.
  2. Web site: Georgia Runoff Results for House Races: Ex-Congressman Bob Barr Loses Comeback Bid. July 23, 2014. Roll Call. June 22, 2022. May 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220518234850/https://rollcall.com/2014/07/22/georgia-runoff-results-for-house-races-ex-congressman-bob-barr-loses-comeback-bid/. live.
  3. Web site: GOP businessman Mike Collins joins race to succeed Congressman Jody Hice . Onlineathens.com . 2021-06-08 . 2022-06-22 . December 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221201180444/https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/2021/06/08/gop-businessman-mike-collins-joins-race-succeed-congressman-jody-hice/7602967002/ . live .
  4. Web site: Collins, Jones in GOP runoff in Georgia's 10th Congressional District . Ajc.com . May 25, 2022 . 2022-06-22 . June 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220612065146/https://www.ajc.com/politics/collins-jones-in-gop-runoff-in-georgias-10th-congressional-district/ZB4OLAKYCFG7TDKVIWLCGDQ3B4/ . live .
  5. Web site: Collins beats out Trump-backed Jones for Georgia GOP House nod . The Hill . June 17, 2022 . 2022-06-22 . June 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220622015306/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3530527-collins-beats-out-trump-backed-jones-for-georgia-gop-house-nod/ . live .
  6. News: Mike Collins wins election in Georgia's 10th congressional district . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Mitchell . Tia . November 15, 2022 . November 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221115002934/https://www.ajc.com/politics/mike-collins-wins-election-in-georgias-10th-congressional-district/PSOFUHSXKZHCJIRLSPRLA7EHQE/ . live .
  7. News: Lippman . Daniel . December 13, 2022 . GOP operative who allegedly kicked a dog hired as top aide to new congressman . Politico . December 18, 2022 . December 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218173338/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/13/gop-operative-brandon-phillips-00073724 . live .
  8. News: House formally approves Biden impeachment inquiry . The Hill . December 14, 2023 . Brooks . Rebecca Beitsch . December 14, 2023 . December 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231214145647/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4358911-biden-impeachment-inquiry-house-gop/ . live .
  9. Web site: Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no. May 31, 2023. June 6, 2023. The Hill. June 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230606032518/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4029522-republicans-and-democrats-who-bucked-party-leaders-by-voting-no/. live.
  10. Web site: Georgia Rep. Mike Collins uses Mariah Carey poster to encourage colleagues . December 14, 2023 . December 16, 2023 . December 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231216054535/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/georgia-rep-mike-collins-uses-050000612.html . live .
  11. Web site: PG A.M.: GOP state lawmakers use special session to muscle Democrats. Dec 14, 2023. Dec 14, 2023. The Hill. December 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231207184148/https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/pg-am-gop-state-lawmakers-use-special-session-to-muscle-democrats/YFV4DOUZPNGYRO6DQGHHRU5SQA/. live.
  12. Web site: Collins' TRANQ Act Headed to White House to be Signed into Law. Dec 5, 2023. Dec 5, 2023. The Hill. December 5, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231205212010/https://collins.house.gov/media/press-releases/collins-tranq-act-headed-white-house-be-signed-law. live.
  13. Web site: I-75 Central Georgia Corridor Coalition . December 14, 2023 . December 14, 2023 . December 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231214194734/https://i75coalition.org/ . live .
  14. Web site: H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023 . March 8, 2023 . March 10, 2023 . March 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230310180559/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h136 . live .
  15. News: House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria . March 8, 2023 . Associated Press . March 10, 2023 . April 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230404204512/https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-08/house-votes-down-bill-directing-removal-of-troops-from-syria . live .
  16. News: Demirjian . Karoun . 2023-10-25 . House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-10-30 . 0362-4331 . October 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030064517/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/25/us/politics/house-israel-vote.html . live .
  17. Web site: Washington . U. S. Capitol Room H154 . p:225-7000 . DC 20515-6601 . 2023-10-25 . Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session . 2023-10-30 . Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives . en . October 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030025934/https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023528 . live .
  18. News: Some in Congress want to cut Ukraine aid and boost Taiwan's. But Taiwan sees its fate tied to Kyiv's. Tang. Didi. October 9, 2023. Associated Press News. May 4, 2024. January 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240114122033/https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-funding-taiwan-us-china-military-8cbb671399a51e0e34b9e40f72f51e56. live.
  19. Web site: Pete Buttigieg resignation demanded on House Floor . . March 8, 2023 . December 4, 2023 . December 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204231240/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pete-buttigiegs-resignation-demanded-house-floor-unfit-lead . live .
  20. Web site: GOP rep introduces RAZOR Act to ban feds from removing border barriers . January 24, 2024 . February 2, 2024 . February 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240202001111/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4426518-gop-rep-introduces-razor-act-to-ban-feds-from-removing-border-barriers/ . live .
  21. Web site: Collins Unveils RAZOR Act to Ban Federal Government from Removing Texas Border Barriers | Representative Collins . January 24, 2024 . February 2, 2024 . February 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240202001713/https://collins.house.gov/media/press-releases/collins-unveils-razor-act-ban-federal-government-removing-texas-border . live .
  22. Web site: Georgia Congressman Casually Endorses Throwing Migrant From Helicopter. Prater. Nia. February 2, 2024. New York Magazine. February 14, 2024. February 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240214182714/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2024/02/congressman-mike-collins-casually-endorses-killing-migrant.html. live.
  23. Web site: Man charged with attacking police in Times Square, vilified in Trump ad, was misidentified, DA says. Offenhartz. Jake. March 1, 2024. Associated Press. May 4, 2024. April 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240414104019/https://apnews.com/article/migrants-times-square-brawl-exoneration-alvin-bragg-c83e34b603e57d367e3e12b9ad28752a. live.
  24. Web site: House passes Laken Riley Act. Talbot. Haley. March 7, 2024. CNN. March 11, 2024. March 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240307223259/https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/07/politics/house-passes-laken-riley-act/index.html. live.
  25. Web site: March 7, 2024 . U.S. House passes 'Laken Riley Act . March 11, 2024 . . March 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240312002807/https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/03/07/us-house-passes-laken-riley-act/ . live .
  26. Mike Collins Is the Republican Troll We Need Amid Speaker Drama. Houghtaling. Ellen Quinlan. October 23, 2023. The New Republic. May 4, 2024. November 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231109171428/https://newrepublic.com/post/176390/mike-collins-republican-troll-house-speaker-drama. live.
  27. Web site: Georgia congressman, after appearing to endorse antisemitic social media post, says critics misinterpreted him. Kampeas. Ron. March 4, 2024. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. May 4, 2024. March 19, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240319221352/https://www.jta.org/2024/03/04/politics/georgia-congressman-says-he-was-misunderstood-after-appearing-to-endorse-antisemitic-social-media-post. live.
  28. Web site: Mike Collins draws rebukes after agreeing with antisemitic social media account. Bluestein. Greg. March 4, 2024. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. May 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240311225540/https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/mike-collins-draws-rebukes-after-agreeing-with-antisemitic-social-media-account/ULK4IT7XYFGTLG7OXDNQLPU4TY/. March 11, 2024.
  29. Web site: Rep. Mike Collins doubles down on post supporting antisemitic, racist social media account. Rod. Marc. March 6, 2024. Jewish Insider. May 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240311232435/https://jewishinsider.com/2024/03/mike-collins-georgia-tweet-esther-panitch/. March 11, 2024.
  30. Web site: GOP Rep. Mike Collins Standing By Weird Antisemitic Social Media Post. Delaney. Arthur. March 6, 2024. Huffington Post. May 4, 2024. May 2, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240502192825/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mike-collins-antisemitic-tweet_n_65e88a31e4b0c65f10949f9f. live.
  31. 1783580352331608540 . RepMikeCollins . Not sure what y'all are doing up north, but we don't give them the time to encamp. Tazers set to stun! . Rep. Mike Collins . Mike Collins (politician) . April 25, 2024 . April 28, 2024.
  32. News: Pratt . Timothy . 2024-04-27 . 'Like a war zone': Emory University grapples with fallout from police response to protest . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240427213937/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/27/emory-university-georgia-police-campus-protests . 2024-04-27 . 2024-04-28 . . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  33. Web site: Pettus. Emily Wagster. Congressman praises heckling of war protesters, including 1 who made monkey gestures at Black woman. May 3, 2024. Associated Press. May 4, 2024. May 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240504234843/https://apnews.com/article/campus-protest-university-of-mississippi-49c768142013680198809903e9e66a5b. live.
  34. Web site: Irwin. Lauren. GOP rep applauds Ole Miss counter protesters who taunted Black woman. May 4, 2024. The Hill. May 4, 2024.
  35. Web site: Sammarco. Ally. Ole Miss Students Make Monkey Noises At Black Protestor. May 4, 2024. Los Angeles Magazine. May 3, 2024. May 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240504192751/https://lamag.com/news/ole-miss-students-make-monkey-noises-at-black-protestor. live.
  36. News: GOP rep links RFK Jr.'s brain worm to Kennedy assassinations. Suter. Tara. May 8, 2024. May 9, 2024. The Hill.
  37. News: Congressman who defended racist Ole Miss protester posts 'sick' joke about Kennedy family: 'Hole in the brain'. Bedigan. Mike. May 8, 2024. May 9, 2024. The Independent.
  38. News: Social Media Platforms Deluged by Unsubstantiated Claims About Trump Rally. Frenkel. Sheera. July 13, 2024. July 13, 2024. New York Times.
  39. Web site: Garcia . Eric . Republicans blame Biden for shooting at Trump rally that left ex-president injured . The Independent . 2024-07-14 . 2024-07-14.
  40. Web site: Mike Collins . Clerk of the United States House of Representatives . 8 May 2023 . March 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230328203229/https://clerk.house.gov/members/C001129 . live .
  41. Web site: 3 strikes for McCarthy — but he's not out yet . 2023-03-25 . POLITICO . January 3, 2023 . en . January 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230103095129/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/03/mccarthy-speaker-house-vote-00076047 . live .
  42. Web site: Mike Collins kicks off his campaign for Georgia's 10th Congressional District. Larry Stanford. larry.stanford@rockdalecitizen.com. Jackson Progress-Argus. September 17, 2021. June 22, 2022. May 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240504234630/https://www.jacksonprogress-argus.com/news/mike-collins-kicks-off-his-campaign-for-georgias-10th-congressional-district/article_584b7c22-17f4-11ec-baaf-b7bbf817b235.html. live.
  43. Web site: Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress. PEW Research. 6 March 2023. March 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230316090407/https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/PF_2023.01.03_congress_LIST.pdf. live.
  44. Web site: Butts County Historical Society, Inc . December 4, 2023 . December 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204222551/https://buttscountyhistoricalsocietyinc.org/home . live .

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