Susan Collins

When the men and women of our armed forces return home, we have an obligation to welcome them all the way home.

I look forward to working closely with you.

It is an honor to serve with you, and I look forward to working with you as we consider HUD's fiscal year 2012 budget request.

The Housing First model is proving its effectiveness.

I personally read all the FBI reports on all the nominees that come before our Committee, and they seem to be the same kinds of intensive investigation.

One of the most significant responsibilities of U.S. Senators is set forth in Article II, Section 2 of our Constitution. It requires that the Senate provide its advice and consent on nominations made by the President.

My goal is to have the best people possible in government and to not have unnecessary barriers to their serving.

I think that is an excellent suggestion.

Combating elder abuse should be a national priority. It is no longer just a family responsibility.

While elder abuse is a significant problem in our society, it has received far less attention and study than other forms of domestic violence.

First let me commend you for calling this hearing to shine a light on this extremely troubling and often hidden issue.

I would really encourage you to take a look at the managed care that is being done by these organizations because I think you will find that the recipients are extremely satisfied.

I also believe that another negative consequence is that the Pentagon would end up paying more for certain goods, services, and weapons than it would if we were funding you at an appropriate level.

Cuts in operations would mean fewer flying hours, fewer steaming days, and cutbacks in training for home station forces.

We need to get our job done, and I think we should bring this bill to the Senate floor as a separate bill today.

I believe that such a package would have passed last fall and avoided the problems that we now face.

Providing our military the funding it needs to succeed should not be among them.

I am sending a second letter today that I would ask unanimous consent be included in the hearing record, urging them to immediately go to the defense appropriations bill.

The extraordinarily adverse impact on the military itself.

I still think a 2-year delay in the overall acquisition is going to end up costing us more.

The old White House excuse.

I remember in our investigation that we discovered prisoners who were applying for housing assistance after Hurricane Katrina and received checks in jail for housing assistance.

I am, like the Chairman, pleased to see the increases in the cybersecurity budget. I think this is an emerging threat that is getting worse with each passing day.

That is simply not sustainable and puts our Nation on a ruinous fiscal course.

I think to most people who are struggling right now, $2,500 is a lot of money.