Republicans fell far short of the sixty votes needed to put their $630 billion stimulus package before the Senate for consideration, and Maine’s two senators split on the issue.
Independent U.S. Sen. Angus King voted with Democrats to block the bill that he branded as too small and lacking the spending priorities needed to address the economic fallout caused by the pandemic.
“This bill was created with absolutely zero bipartisan input,” King said. “No consultation with anybody on the other side of the aisle.”
Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins voted for the motion, arguing that once the bill was before the Senate it could have been amended to include aid to states and municipalities and other provisions.
“There was no way I was going to vote against $105 billion in much-needed funds for our schools and another round of the PPP program that helps the hardest hit small businesses,” said Collins.
King and Collins said they agree that both parties and the White House must forge a compromise measure to help stem further damage to the U.S. economy.
“I have already talked with colleagues on the Democratic side of the aisle, that if this does not occur that a group of us should get together and produce a bipartisan bill,” Collins said.
Originally published at 4:05 p.m. Sept. 10, 2020.
