Maine Sen. Susan Collins Backs GOP Tax Bill

WASHINGTON, DC — Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins was one of three key GOP votes that knocked down efforts this summer to repeal and replace Obamacare. Now, she has announced that she will vote for her party's tax bill this week, all but ensuring that the $1.5 trillion package will quickly make it to the president's desk before Christmas.

Collins cited provisions she says she helped win, including letting people deduct state and local income, sales and property taxes up to $10,000. The House-passed version limited that to property tax deductions up to $10,000. Current law generally allows all local taxes to be deducted without limit.

However, despite her previous efforts to preserve the coverage gains made under Obamacare, the bill Collins now supports contains a provision that could add millions to the ranks of the uninsured. By repealing the individual mandate to buy health insurance, the bill will likely lead to as many as 13 million more people being uninsured by 2027, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Republicans have a 52-48 Senate majority. Arizona GOP Sen. John McCain is battling brain cancer and is expected to miss the vote.

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