Collins: Media coverage of my tax vote 'unbelievably sexist'

Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsWe need a (common) 'sense of the Senate' resolution on transition planning The Hill's Morning Report - Biden wins Arizona, confers with Dem leaders; Trump tweets Deadlock leaves no clear path for lame-duck coronavirus deal  MORE (R-Maine) on Tuesday complained that the coverage of her role in the GOP tax plan has been “unbelievably sexist,” Politico reported Tuesday.

Collins, who has been a key vote in the bill’s passage, said the coverage has been “extremely discouraging.”

“I believe that the coverage has been unbelievably sexist, and I cannot believe that the press would have treated another senator with 20 years of experience as they have treated me,” she told reporters.

“They’ve ignored everything that I’ve gotten and written story after story about how I’m duped. How am I duped when all your amendments get accepted?”

Critics of the tax bill had hoped that Collins would vote against it, given that she opposed legislation earlier this year to repeal ObamaCare.

But Collins agreed to back the tax plan after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellRepublicans seek to batter Warnock ahead of Georgia runoff Haspel not in attendance at latest Trump intelligence briefing: reports Overnight Defense: Another Defense official resigns | Pentagon chief says military 'remains strong' despite purge | Top contender for Biden DOD secretary would be historic pick MORE (R-Ky.) promised that the Senate would pass two bills to stabilize ObamaCare, among other things.

The senator criticized reporters for speculating about whether GOP leaders will actually be able to pass the ObamaCare legislation, and noted that she was able to have several amendments added to the tax bill.

“[Ohio Sen.] Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanWe need a (common) 'sense of the Senate' resolution on transition planning The Hill's Morning Report - Biden wins Arizona, confers with Dem leaders; Trump tweets On The Money: Biden, Democratic leaders push for lame-duck coronavirus deal | Business groups shudder at Sanders as Labor secretary | Congress could pass retirement bill as soon as this year MORE would tell you that I’ve had more impact than anybody who was not a conferee,” she said.

She also ripped a report that said Collins “didn’t cry” while meeting with protestors suffering from medical conditions. The line was removed after the senator objected.

“I can’t imagine a reporter writing that about a male senator meeting with the same group, and in fact I have proof because they met with Jeff FlakeJeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeMcSally concedes Arizona Senate race The Hill's Morning Report - ObamaCare front and center; transition standoff continues Republicans who could serve in a Biden government MORE,” Collins said.

“So it’s been extremely discouraging to see the press coverage on this given the significant impact that I’ve had on this bill.”

The House passed the tax bill on Tuesday, and the Senate is expected to make some minor tweaks and approve the legislation later in the evening.

A final vote will be held in the House on Wednesday.