Olympia Snowe

Olympia Jean Bouchles Snowe (born February 21, 1947 in Augusta, Maine) is a Republican politician and, as of 2005, the senior United States senator from Maine.

Political views

Snowe is a self-described political moderate, whose independence in the Senate often marks her for complaints from more conservative groups, especially over her support for legalized abortion and gay rights. In fiscal matters and on defense, though, Snowe is generally conservative. She has been long-regarded as a hawk on foreign affairs, supporting both President Clinton's involvement in Kosovo and President George W. Bush's interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. On fiscal matters, though, she worked with Democrats to reduce the scale of the Bush tax cuts, she supported the broad principle of cutting taxes as economic stimulus. Both Snowe and fellow Maine Senator Susan Collins were reluctant converts to limited gun control, following the Columbine High School shooting in 1999.

Related Topics:
Abortion - Gay rights - Kosovo - George W. Bush - Afghanistan - Iraq - Fiscal - Tax cuts - Susan Collins - Columbine High School shooting - 1999

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Snowe lists her top legislative priorities as campaign finance reform, contraceptive coverage, assisting the growth of small business, prescription drug coverage, and student loan and child care funding.

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In the 109th Congress, Snowe worked to ensure passage of a genetic non-discrimination act, which she had previously worked to pass for nearly eight years; opposed cutting loans through the Small Business Administration; offered legislation aimed at reducing the price of prescription drugs and insurance costs for small businesses; and became a leading voice among Congressional Republicans expressing concerns over President Bush's plans for the privatization of Social Security.

Related Topics:
Small Business Administration - Social Security

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