Susan Collins

It is far more challenging to deal with train security than air security.

I am interested, as a longtime Amtrak supporter, in better understanding how that would work.

I agree with the chairman that we need to have a better understanding of how money is being allocated.

One of the lessons that we have learned in the Homeland Security Committee is the importance of the partnership among all levels of government.

With an eye toward ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used as efficiently as possible, we must be certain that adequate security measures and technology deployment are implemented throughout the passenger rail sector.

Several States have already rejected funding for which their States had been awarded.

I want to make sure you have the resources you need to protect our railways.

That makes sense, but that is not what this report seems to be saying is going on.

The soaring debt of more than $14 trillion and growing poses a grave threat to our Nation's future prosperity.

Now, thanks to a cooperative effort, we can begin the important work of upgrading the tracks.

We simply must rein in our spending and get our financial house in order.

At your previous appearance before this subcommittee, you recommended a reduction in the loan limit from $729,750 to $625,000.

First, let me associate myself with the Chairman's comments. I was thinking, having recently moved, that this affects not only the buyer of the house, the seller, the moving company--the ripple effects go on and on. And that's why we…

It is extremely worrisome to learn of the incidents over the past couple of months regarding air traffic controllers who have behaved unprofessionally.

Thank you, Madam Chairman.

As we all know, home purchases provide an important economic stimulus, with benefits to local communities in the form of jobs and local development.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) faces many challenging responsibilities that include balancing the goal of strengthening responsible home ownership while minimizing the financial risk to FHA and the taxpayer and…

I believe, however, that Senator Wyden is really looking at some sort of revenue bond.

Let me ask you both a basic question. It seems that in the last year, there has been an alarming increase in close calls in the air and on the ground.

It is unacceptable that we came at all close to a government shutdown.

FHA is largely financed by proceeds from the mortgage insurance premiums paid by homeowners.

It is the height of irresponsibility if Government is allowed to shut down, and would represent a colossal failure that would reflect poorly on everyone involved.

We're still going to have a challenge of the reauthorization, which was put in the budget, goes through, because we're going to have to work to figure out how to fund that, as well.

The administration is proposing a $129 billion budget for DOT, a 66-percent increase more than the fiscal year 2010 enacted level.

Improving the efficiency and reliability of the Nation's transportation system is vital to the movement of our freight and goods.