Susan Collins

Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins says she's open to requesting President Donald Trump's tax returns if the documents are necessary to complete an ongoing probe into Russia's alleged interference in the November election. 

Collins was asked during the Maine Public call in program Maine Calling if she would support subpoenaing the president's tax returns. Collins at first said she wasn't sure such a request would be necessary, but added, "If it's necessary to get the answers then I suspect we would."

BANGOR, Maine - Maine Sen. Susan Collins has joined those making an early endorsement in the GOP race for president.  Collins told MPBN News she is supporting former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

“I have recently made a decision after talking extensively with Jeb Bush that I am going to endorse him for president," Collins said at an event in Bangor.

Collins says Bush has the executive experience as a former governor, something she says is needed by any candidate for president. She says Bush is best equipped to face the many problems a president needs to deal with.

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King are urging the leaders of the U.S. Senate to bring together the Republican and Democratic caucuses for regular meetings.

They signed a letter along with more than two dozen colleagues on Friday asking Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to convene monthly bipartisan lunches.

They say the meetings will strengthen relationships between the two parties, which is "critical for the Senate to live up to its reputation as the world's most deliberative body.''

The Defense subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has unanimously approved a budget for defense spending, starting Oct. 1.

The measure has several provisions that benefit Maine, including full funding for the destroyers built at Bath Iron Works. 

"The continued disputes in the South China sea, the Chinese buildup of its fleet and the instability that we see in so many parts of the world call for maintaining a strong and capable surface fleet," said Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who serves on the panel.

Democratic candidate Shenna Bellows is proposing to debate Republican Sen. Susan Collins 10 times during their race for the U.S. Senate seat Collins now holds.