Susan Collins

I am determined to do everything I can to protect the integrity of the Federal procurement system.

I was so alarmed last year to see a draft Executive Order from this Administration that actually proposed to inject politics into the procurement system.

The position as Administrator of OFPP is one that is not well known to the public at large, but it is in fact an extremely important leadership position within the Federal Government and the Federal procurement system in general.

Seldom has a nominee for the position of Administrator for the Office of Federal Procurement Policy come before this Committee at a more critical time.

It would have sent a message to contracting officials that somehow this should be a factor in their decisionmaking when they are awarding Federal contracts.

I am seeking from you today a very clear statement that you will oppose any such efforts to require Federal agencies to collect political contribution information from government contractors.

This amendment establishes what is essentially a privatization pilot program for the alternative delivery of mail outside of the universal service mandate of the Postal Service. I believe it would create chaos by allowing for inconsistent…

The H1N1 strain, more commonly known as the Swine Flu, claimed more than 18,000 lives during the 2009 outbreak.

It has been almost a century since the 1918 Spanish influenza virus infected one-fifth of the world's population.

I do want to apologize that I will, however, have to leave early due to a markup in the Appropriations Committee that begins at 10:30.

Yet virulent strains of influenza are still a major threat.

I too support the amendment offered by Senator Tester and Senator Levin. It simply makes clear that the Postal Regulatory Commission may review an appeal of a post office closure if it violates either the overnight delivery service…

Secretary Stackley, at a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing regarding Navy ship acquisition, industry officials testified that multiyear procurements (MYP) are incredibly important in terms of stability for the workforce…

The challenges facing our country and our Navy are great. The administration and Congress have a responsibility to establish budget priorities.

What additional actions is the Department taking or proposing to take to improve its ability to prevent foods containing dangerous pathogens from ever leaving the slaughterhouse, processing facility, or entering the retail chain?

The implications of this new approach by the New England district is bringing to a halt a lot of very important economic development projects.

The Corps has permitting responsibilities under section 404 of the Clean Water Act for development activities that may occur in wetlands.

I just want to make two points. The first is that I'm very concerned about the discrepancy in the way the Army Corps regulates developments that affect wetlands.

We need to send a strong message that elective office is the place for public service and not private gain.

Maine's groundfish industry is facing a great deal of uncertainty as it continues to move to a new management system.

The Afghan Government cannot afford to sustain its own forces.

I believe that we'll see a commitment from them to do so.

The gains are fragile and reversible.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

They're very discouraging, they're very pessimistic about what the new National Intelligence Estimate says.