Pine State News

Before the House vote on Saturday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) mentioned that there are more things the GOP would want changed in President Biden’s COVID relief bill.

“What we’re looking at now is whether there are changes that we could make,” Collins said, according to The Hill. “But I would be surprised if there was support in the Republican caucus if the bill comes out at $1.9 trillion even if we’re able to make some beneficial changes.”

“The administration has not indicated a willingness to come down from its $1.9 trillion figure and that's a major obstacle,” Collins added.

Amendments have been offered by the Republicans but among the over 200 proposals, only two have been accepted by the Democrats.

Some Republicans, including Collins, have met with the President last month to present their budget which is way below the Democrats’. She recalled it was a productive talk that gave them hope their counteroffer could be considered.  

“We have indicated a willingness to come up from our $618 billion, but unfortunately the White House seems wedded to a figure that really can't be justified given the hundreds of billions of dollars that are still in the pipeline from the December bill,” Collins said.