Susan Collins: “I would also note that it does not help the process that the President is late by a month in submitting his budget.”

They don’t have them yet. The orders were placed, but they couldn’t [process] the orders when the government was shut down.

“I believe that all of us must avoid that kind of dangerous and disturbing rhetoric, because it could in fact trigger violence,” Collins added.

I find this deeply troubling. Reports that women and people of color are disproportionately fired or sidelined create the impression that their service is not valued.

I took particular issue with the provision that would allow political appointees to review grant proposals, noting that it would undermine the goal of awarding funds 'based on scientific merit and value, rather than political ideology.'