Susan Collins: Shutdowns 'Never Good Policy'

Government shutdowns “are never good policy” when used as a “political weapon,” Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Sunday.

In an interview with NBC News’ “Meet The Press,” Collins said Congress has to “figure out a middle ground.”

“Government shutdowns are never good policy,” she said, adding that they are then used “as a political weapon.”

It is not a sign of weakness to try to figure out a middle ground… both sides need to show a willingness to listen and compromise,” she said, urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky,, to "bring the bills the House passed to the Senate floor."

“We could reopen much of the government where there’s no dispute,” she said. “Let’s get those reopened while the negotiations continue."

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