WASHINGTON — Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins came out in favor of the GOP tax bill Friday. Collins announced her support of the bill after key amendments she proposed were included in the legislation.
“Having secured these key improvements in the bill, as well as the commitments to legislation to help lower health insurance premiums, I will cast my vote in support of the Senate tax reform bill,” Collins stated.
“As revised, this bill will provide much needed tax relief and simplification for lower and middle income families, while spurring the creation of good jobs and greater economic growth.”
The bill, according to Collins, will include a SALT amendment to allow taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 for state and local property taxes.
Additionally, an amendment proposed by Collins is a property tax deduction amendment. Collins praised that provision saying it would allow 166,000 taxpayers from her state who itemize to deduct a total of $725 million in property taxes each year.
Collins noted a third amendment that would allow Americans, specifically seniors with high medical costs, to get tax relief through a medical expense deduction.
The Maine Republican’s support of the tax bill comes one day after the bill received support from Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain and Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski — all of whom voted against the repeal and replacement legislation of the Affordable Care Act.