Collins: Trump's threat to end ObamaCare payments won't change my vote

Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsMichelle Wolf in July Fourth salute: 'God bless abortions and God bless America' An end game on Supreme Court nominations One judge on Trump’s short-list comes recommended by the president’s sister MORE (R-Maine) said President Trump’s threats to cut off funding for key ObamaCare payments won’t change her vote on the GOP’s plan to repeal it.

CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Collins during an appearance on “State of the Union” Sunday if Trump’s threats to cut off the cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments, as well as his apparent threat to cut off the healthcare benefits of members of Congress if they don’t pass a new bill, would change her vote.

“It would not affect my vote on healthcare, but it’s an example of why we need to act: to make sure that those payments, which are not an insurance company bailout, but rather help people who are very low-income afford their out-of-pocket costs toward their deductibles and their co-pays,” Collins said.

“It really would be detrimental to some of the most vulnerable citizens if those payments were cut off.”

Collins joined fellow Republican Sens. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiAn end game on Supreme Court nominations What to know about Trump's Supreme Court pick so far McConnell pushing Trump toward 2 potential Supreme Court picks: report MORE (Alaska) and John McCainJohn Sidney McCainAn end game on Supreme Court nominations Supreme Court talk dominates Sunday shows as Trump nears decision Hysteria about the Supreme Court vacancy isn't about abortion — it's about reparations MORE (Ariz.) in voting against Senate Republicans’ “skinny repeal” of ObamaCare in the early hours of Friday morning.

After returning home after her "no" vote, Collins received applause and cheers from passengers at an airport in Maine.

“It was just amazing. I’ve never had that happen in the 20 years that I’ve been privileged to serve in the Senate. So it was very encouraging and affirming, especially after arriving back home after a very difficult time,” she said.

Trump has previously threatened to withhold the CSR payments, which lower the amount some individuals have to pay for deductibles, copayments and insurance. 

The president also targeted Murkowski last week, tweeting that she “really let the Republicans, and our country, down” after she voted no on a motion to proceed to debate on a GOP healthcare bill.