WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement after the Senate voted tonight to support a bipartisan agreement between Leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell to reopen the federal government and address the nation's debt limit:
"For nearly two weeks, I have been working hard with a bipartisan group of 14 Senators on a plan to end the government shutdown, prevent our nation from defaulting on its obligations, and charge the Senate and House Budget Committees with developing a longer-term fiscal plan for our nation. The final agreement between Senators Reid and McConnell incorporates elements of our bipartisan plan. It is beyond time to end this impasse, reopen the government, and begin addressing our nation's unsustainable $17 trillion debt. This is not the end; it is merely the beginning of our work. There is much work ahead and tough decisions to be made.
"I am pleased that the bipartisan group that I led helped lay the foundation for the compromise reached today. It is essential that we continue to work together and show the American people that we can govern responsibly."