Susan Collins

The terrorists remain unflagging in their determination to exploit vulnerabilities in the security systems developed since September 11, 2001.

These plots should prompt us to reexamine whether our priorities are correct and our resources properly deployed.

Redirecting tens of billions of dollars to productive purposes is a result of the necessary changes we were making in the way we do business;

Yes. In addition, DOD is continuing efforts to strengthen the acquisition workforce size and quality.

One of the targeted areas in your 23-point plan is to mandate 'affordability' as a requirement.

I just want to echo your thanks to our witnesses and also to the thousands of Federal employees who work for them.

I do believe this is an issue that we need to pursue as well.

I think that is what the Kean-Hamilton report was trying to say.

I would invite all of you, for the record, to tell us what changes in laws, what different allocation and resources, what you need from Congress.

I think this is an issue that we do need to work further on.

We want this information sharing, which is so vital, to be improved, so that the vital information can be linked while protecting, obviously, the privacy and civil liberty rights.

We have created new security and intelligence systems to detect, deter, and defend against terrorism.

The fight against Islamist extremism and terrorism sure looks like it is going to go on for a long time to come.

We are seeing the escalation of a significant new threat that takes advantage of radicalized violent Islamist extremists within our borders.

I have urged that we do a very quick mark-up so that you can get right to work.

The Postal Service needs to make some very hard decisions to reduce its cost structure to become more competitive.

The Postal Service has been overpaying into the Civil Service Retirement System by between $50 to $55 billion.

I am very concerned that this goes away from a merit-based procurement policy.

The industry experts that I have talked with are very concerned that the standards are being set so high.

This is the kind of thing that drives the public crazy.

I appreciate that commitment.

If we do not act, Americans will face one of the largest tax increases in U.S. history.

Without bold, urgent action, we are heading toward a future of financial stagnation, bogged down by costly entitlements, slow job creation, and sluggish economic growth.

The budget put forth by the President, which I opposed, would double the public debt in 5 years and triple it in 10 years.

Given the tax and economic policies coming out of Washington, we do not dare create any jobs, take any risks, or make any investments.