Donald Trump

Sen. Susan Collins Supports Trump's Proposal to End Shutdown

Collins said Trump's plan "is by no means ideal but it would result in the reopening of government, my priority"

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is coming out in support of President Donald Trump's proposal for ending the government shutdown.

Collins cited a litany of problems caused by the shutdown on Wednesday in a Senate floor speech. She said Trump's plan "is by no means ideal but it would result in the reopening of government, my priority."

She also said "the outlines of a compromise are before us."

While Collins is urging lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to come to a compromise, dozens of protesters demonstrated outside her Portland office on Wednesday.

Joe Reiley, TSA officer and vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees, was among the protesters who told WCSH-TV they want Collins to held end the shutdown.

"They are at the Jetport," said Reiley speaking of his co-workers. "They're protecting the flights and protecting our national security. They are doing it as an indentured servant because they are not being paid."

There will be two votes on Thursday in the Senate.

One will be on a bill reflecting Trump's demand for border wall funding in exchange for temporary protections for some immigrants. The other is on a Democratic proposal that would fund security improvements but contains no money for a wall.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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