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Collins Says She's Not Surprised At Election Results

Maine Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins says she's not surprised that Democrats took control of the U.S. House, while Republicans added to their majority in the Senate. Collins says she stayed up late watching election results, including Democratic losses in states that President Trump carried by wide margins two years ago. 

And she says she's worried that the Democratic takeover of the House could impede progress on legislation over the next two months.  “I do see an impact on the lame duck. I hope we will be able to finish the appropriations bills.”

Collins is more optimistic that the new Congress in January will find ways for the parties to cooperate on legislation.

“We are going to face divided government," she says, "but at times divided government is when you can get things done because it can cause both parties to realize that, if they are going to have accomplishments, they are going to have to compromise and work together.”

Journalist Mal Leary spearheads Maine Public's news coverage of politics and government and is based at the State House.