Top GOP appropriator 'surprised' by Trump debt ceiling demand: 'don't know his rationale'

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said on Wednesday evening that she was taken aback by President-elect Trump's demand that the stopgap spending bill be used to increase the debt ceiling.

Collins, the top GOP appropriator, told reporters that she was surprised by the call and indicated that it had not come up in talks ahead of the incoming president's last-minute missive.

“This has come as a surprise to me," she told reporters at the Capitol. "I was surprised that [Trump] wants to move the debt limit vote up to this year. 

"I don’t know his rationale," she added.

Trump's call came amid increasing frustration over the continuing resolution package Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) negotiated with Democrats. 

The 1500-plus page bill includes a number of concessions to Democrats in order to win over needed support and overcome opposition from scores of GOP members. 

A provision included that gives lawmakers a pay raise also upset members.

The debt ceiling was not expected to be dealt with until the summer. 

The deadline to extend government funding is Friday at midnight.