Mike Collins (politician)

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For other politicians with similar names, see Michael Collins (disambiguation).

Mike Collins
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Georgia's 10th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byJody Hice
Personal details
Born (1967-07-02) July 2, 1967 (age 56)
Jackson, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseLeigh Ann Collins
Children3
RelativesMac Collins (father)
EducationGeorgia State University (BA)
WebsiteHouse website
Mike Collins's voice
Mike Collins honors Justice Clarence Thomas
Recorded February 7, 2023

Michael Allen Collins Jr. (born July 2, 1967) is an American politician and businessman serving as the U.S. representative for Georgia's 10th congressional district since 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Early life and career[edit]

Collins graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor's degree in business. He has operated several businesses, including a trucking company.[1]

U.S. House of Representatives[edit]

Elections[edit]

2022[edit]

Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia § District 10

Collins ran to represent Georgia's 10th congressional district 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.[2] Hice defeated Collins in the runoff.[3]

After Hice announced that he would not seek reelection in the 2022 elections, Collins announced his candidacy.[1] 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[edit]

2023 U.S. House of Representative Impeachment Inquiry into U.S. President Joe Biden[edit]

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

Budgetary Policy[edit]

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]

Community Policy[edit]

In December 2023, Collins' 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' 10th District is located within Georgia's I-75 Central Corridor.[13]

Foreign Policy[edit]

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]

Transportation Policy[edit]

Collins called for the impeachment and resignation of United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in 2023.[18]

Immigration Policy[edit]

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.[19][20]

After a migrant in New York City was released from jail without bail in 2024 after allegedly attacking a police officer; Collins suggested the migrant be executed. Collins stated on X the migrant should be given "a ticket on Pinochet Air for a free helicopter ride back.” Collins' post referenced the Chilean government's killing of dissidents on death flights carried out during the rule of Augusto Pinochet.[21]

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.[22][23]

Committee assignments[edit]

For the 118th Congress:[24]

Caucus memberships[edit]

Personal life[edit]

Collins's father, the late Mac Collins, also served in the House of Representatives, representing Georgia's 3rd congressional district.[26] Where Georgia's Interstate 75 Exit 205 and Georgia's Highway 16 cross is known as the "Congressman Mac Collins Memorial Exchange".[27] Collins and his wife, Leigh Ann, have three children.[26] Collins is a Methodist.[28] Collins' business 'Collins Trucking' is a sponsor of the Butts County, Georgia Historical Society.[29]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "GOP businessman Mike Collins joins race to succeed Congressman Jody Hice". Onlineathens.com. June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  2. ^ Cochran, Kelsey. "Hice, Collins move on to July runoff". Online Athens.
  3. ^ "Georgia Runoff Results for House Races: Ex-Congressman Bob Barr Loses Comeback Bid". Roll Call. July 23, 2014.
  4. ^ "Collins, Jones in GOP runoff in Georgia's 10th Congressional District". Ajc.com. May 25, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  5. ^ "Collins beats out Trump-backed Jones for Georgia GOP House nod". The Hill. June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  6. ^ Mitchell, Tia. "Mike Collins wins election in Georgia's 10th congressional district". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  7. ^ Lippman, Daniel (December 13, 2022). "GOP operative who allegedly kicked a dog hired as top aide to new congressman". Politico. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  8. ^ Brooks, Rebecca Beitsch (December 14, 2023). "House formally approves Biden impeachment inquiry". The Hill.
  9. ^ "Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no". The Hill. May 31, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  10. ^ "Georgia Rep. Mike Collins uses Mariah Carey poster to encourage colleagues". December 14, 2023.
  11. ^ "PG A.M.: GOP state lawmakers use special session to muscle Democrats". The Hill. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  12. ^ "Collins' TRANQ Act Headed to White House to be Signed into Law". The Hill. December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  13. ^ "I-75 Central Georgia Corridor Coalition". December 14, 2023.
  14. ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023". March 8, 2023.
  15. ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". Associated Press. March 8, 2023.
  16. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  17. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Pete Buttigieg resignation demanded on House Floor". Fox News. March 8, 2023.
  19. ^ "GOP rep introduces RAZOR Act to ban feds from removing border barriers". January 24, 2024.
  20. ^ "Collins Unveils RAZOR Act to Ban Federal Government from Removing Texas Border Barriers | Representative Collins". January 24, 2024.
  21. ^ Prater, Nia (February 2, 2024). "Georgia Congressman Casually Endorses Throwing Migrant From Helicopter". New York Magazine. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  22. ^ Talbot, Haley (March 7, 2024). "House passes Laken Riley Act". CNN. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  23. ^ "U.S. House passes 'Laken Riley Act". Atlanta News First. March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  24. ^ "Mike Collins". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  25. ^ "3 strikes for McCarthy — but he's not out yet". POLITICO. January 3, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  26. ^ a b larry.stanford@rockdalecitizen.com, Larry Stanford (September 17, 2021). "Mike Collins kicks off his campaign for Georgia's 10th Congressional District". Jackson Progress-Argus.
  27. ^ "Resolution CR202303 Naming the Mac Collins Memorial Interchange - Butts County, Georgia | Georgia's Outdoor Capital". June 6, 2023.
  28. ^ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  29. ^ "Butts County Historical Society, Inc".

External links[edit]

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Georgia's 10th congressional district
2023–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
365th 		Succeeded by
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