Sen. Susan Collins has launched an impassioned defense of why she supported the Republican tax reform bill — insisting it will help end "weak economic growth and stagnant wages" and benefit "hardworking Mainers, not Washington elites."

Writing in Wednesday’s Portland Press Herald, the moderate Maine Republican said:

"I have heard a number of conspiracy theories from pundits, political operatives and columnists about why I supported the tax cut plan that just became law.

"I supported this legislation because it will help lower-income and middle-income families keep more of their hard-earned money, boost the economy and encourage businesses, both small and large, to grow and create jobs here in Maine and around the country.

"Indeed, small businesses, the true backbone of our economy here in Maine, will receive tax relief that enables them to create more jobs, increase paychecks and grow our economy."

Collins said the "bottom line" is that "the weak economic growth and stagnant wages we have seen in recent years cannot be accepted as the new normal for our country.

"Hardworking Americans will soon see more money in their paychecks. In the future, Americans will continue to see more benefit from this law in the form of higher wages."

Last week, Collins lashed out at the press for what she calls "unbelievably sexist" reporting about her support of the tax reform bill. She zeroed in on a report that said she hadn't burst into tears after meeting a group of people with serious medical conditions concerned about the legislation.

Collins got Republicans to add amendments that allow families to deduct up to $10,000 in state and local taxes, increase deductions for medical expenses, and protect tax-free contributions for retirement savings.

Last July, she voted down an effort to end the Affordable Care Act — Obamacare. But with her "yes" vote on the tax reform bill, she is approved of the elimination of the individual mandate which required Americans to sign up for healthcare or face a penalty, support that some criticized her for.

President Donald Trump signed the tax reform bill into law this week.