CBS Evening News: Collins and Snowe

Press Conference on Stimulus Deal

Portsmouth Herald: Collins sets example more Republicans must follow

from The Portsmouth Herald:

Once again, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has put our nation's best interests before partisan politics and provided leadership during a time of crisis.

While most in Washington continue to fiddle while the U.S. economy burns, Collins, a Republican, worked with her Democratic colleagues on a compromise stimulus package that passed on a 61-37 vote on Tuesday.

"This bill is not perfect," Collins said Monday. "We're not claiming that. But, in fact, I think this bill will help to create 3.5 million jobs. ... We're facing a crisis, and it makes no sense to have a partisan divide."

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US Chamber of Commerce supports Collins-Nelson plan

R. Bruce Josten, Executive VP of the US Chamber of Commerce, issued this letter yesterday:


TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce urges you to support cloture on the Collins-Nelson amendment to H.R. 1, the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.” The Chamber also renews its call that the Senate approve H.R. 1 without delay so that the House and Senate can expeditiously complete work on a conference report that provides timely, targeted, and temporary economic stimulus.

The Chamber recognizes that the evolving legislation is not perfect, but believes that it is vital that Congress quickly approve legislation to assist the crumbling U.S. economy. The Chamber strongly supports cloture on the Collins-Nelson amendment, which will refine H.R. 1 and, most importantly, allow the legislative process to proceed.

Overall, the Chamber supports many of the pro-growth tax initiatives in the bill, as well as spending-side provisions to provide stimulus, create jobs and to get Americans back to work.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, looks forward to working with the Senate, House and the Administration to accomplish meaningful economic stimulus legislation that can be signed into law in the coming days.

Sincerely,
R. Bruce Josten

Senators Collins and Nelson on Today Show

Senator Collins floor speech on stimulus compromise

Parts 1 & 2:

CNN:Republican senator on stimulus: 'We're close'

from CNN:

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and other Republicans in an early morning meeting told CNN Radio that they've handed over a list of potential cuts to Democratic leaders and are waiting for a response.

"The ball's really in their court," Collins said. A few hours later, Collins walked out of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office smiling and told reporters, "We're close."

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