Washington — Senate Republicans have just finished a lunch, going over the tax deal and other lame-duck issues. The mood is cautiously optimistic.

Heading into the conference, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine told us that the plan “looks good,” adding that she’s still reviewing it. Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma is reviewing the details, too, to make sure the unemployment-benefits extension and other provisions are “paid for.” Sen. Mike Johanns of Nebraska is “worried” about the parts of the agreement that will add to the debt, but his overall take is “generally favorable,” since it provides certainty for businesses. Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky had no comment.

update: As they left the Capitol, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R., Ga.) and Sen. Judd Gregg (R., N.H.) both told that NRO that concerns remain about the tax deal. Gregg says he has “reservations,” namely about how it increases the deficit and about how its provisions are funded. Active conservative dissent, he says, did not feature at the policy lunch. But, he notes, “there were questions.”

Chambliss agrees. “There are huge spending aspects in this,” he says. “Many of us have concerns about how they’re paid for.”