Senator Collins Responds to GOP Tax Bill Protesters, May Change Vote

Senator Susan Collins weighed in on the contentious tax bill debate from Washington DC.

Collins believes the amendments she added in the Senate version on property tax and medical expense deduction for retirement funding improved the bill and that in time, it will lower the debt.

But she told TV5 Thursday if those changes are not included in the final package, she will consider changing her vote.

"I would. I'm going to look at what comes out of the conference committee meeting to reconcile the differences between the Senate and House Bill. So I won't make a final decision until I see what that package is. There's a real fear that the tax bill is going to trigger a 4% cut in Medicare. I am absolutely certain that 4% cut in Medicare that I mentioned will not occur. I have it in writing from both the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and also Senator Mitch McConnell."

Collins added she's encouraged by signals she's getting and hopes her amendments will be included in the final bill.

She also believes the tax bill will lower health insurance premiums. Collins points to a new study conducted by a health policy firm that found the bill will offset the effect of repealing the individual mandate and decrease the cost of health insurance premiums.