We’ve been following the efforts to get Senator Collins to “yes” on the GOP tax bill for at least two weeks. Earlier today, Ed noted that even as the GOP was declaring it had the votes to pass the bill, Sen. Collins quickly piped up to say she was still undecided. Sometime between this morning and this afternoon, that changed. Collins released a statement saying she now supports the bill:

I don’t think there is a single American who thinks that our current tax code is fair, simple, or promotes economic growth.  We need a tax system that will boost the economy, help the middle class, and encourage small businesses to grow and create jobs.  If we stimulate the economy through tax reform, we can significantly increase federal revenues while boosting Americans’ take-home pay.

By nearly doubling the standard deduction and expanding the child tax credit, this bill will provide significant relief to lower- and middle-income taxpayers. For example, a single mother with one child earning $35,000 will see her taxes drop by nearly 4,000 percent. Instead of paying money to Washington, she will be getting more than $1,100 back each year to help her make ends meet.

Sen. Collins then listed several changes to the bill which she says address the concerns she had about it. She tweeted about each of these items:

Delighted that the Senate has agreed to include my property tax deduction amendment, that will allow 166,000 Maine taxpayers who itemize to deduct a total of $725 million in property taxes each year. #MEPolitics

— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) December 1, 2017

The Senate bill will include my amendment to reduce the threshold for deducting medical expenses, which helps people with high medical costs, particularly seniors & people with chronic conditions. 8.8 million Americans use this deduction, half with incomes of $50,000 or less.

— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) December 1, 2017

The Sen. bill will include my amendment to reverse ill-advised elimination of catch-up contributions to retirement accounts for church, charity, school, & public employees. Amend. will protect ability of employees, including firefighters & police officers, to save for retirement.

— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) December 1, 2017

I received assurances today that no reduction in Medicare will be triggered by tax bill. See exchange of letters. pic.twitter.com/Z3mbHjr0NE

— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) December 1, 2017

The last item she mentions is the passage of Alexander-Murray which will restore cost-sharing payments. She received a commitment from Mitch McConnell on that issue as well. And with that Collins is a yes:

After securing significant changes, as well as commitments to pass legislation to help lower health insurance premiums, I will cast my vote in support of the Senate tax reform bill. (1/2) https://t.co/NhwtmYm22E

— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) December 1, 2017

With Senators Murkowski, McCain, Flake and Johnson already on board, that leaves just Sen. Corker. He announced a short while ago that he will be a no vote on the bill because of his concern over rising national debt:

My statement on the tax reform legislation: pic.twitter.com/LdTQRezdlO

— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) December 1, 2017

Assuming no one changes their mind, that means the GOP definitely has the votes to pass the tax bill even without the help of VP Pence. Between this and the Flynn news, the emotional roller coaster taking place at the White House today must be truly epic.