Susan Collins

I feel like it is almost orphaned within the Department.

The President's fiscal year 2025 Budget Request does not do nearly enough to address the flood of illegal migrants and fentanyl entering the United States.

The U.S. Border Patrol reported a record 2.5 million encounters of foreign nationals entering our country along the southwest border without authorization in fiscal year 2023.

It is difficult for us to make the case, which we want to make, if you are not obligating the money.

I realize that you have a period of time that you can use. But is it accurate that about half of the funding appropriated over the last 3 years is still unobligated?

I think that is totally inconsistent with the tremendous contributions that each of the components make to our national security.

I think that has been lost in this debate, that it gives you better capabilities.

The need to properly resource, ready, well-equipped, and integrated Guard and Reserve components could not be more clear yet, that is why it is so disappointing that the President's budget request for fiscal year 2025 cuts the Guard and…

I think it does as well, but it concerns me because $500 million is not an inconsequential cost.

I hope we will continue to support.

I do think we need to move faster, and we are doing that.

I think that is a really important point, that it is going to be more expensive, and plus, that is where the capability is.

I have worked with the Army because I am drafting legislation where I want the Army and all the Services to be able to trigger state crisis intervention laws.

The proposed active duty end strength represents the smallest Active Duty Army since the start of the Volunteer Force in 1973.

I am a very strong supporter of assisting both Ukraine and Israel.

It is also the Army, more than any other Service that is providing the lion's share of equipment and training to help Ukraine's own army defeat and defend against Russia's brutal invasion.

I want to ensure that we are taking every action necessary to try to lessen or prevent the chances of such a tragedy ever happening again.

I commend you and the Chief for your steadfast refusal to compromise on recruiting standards.

Secretary Austin has committed to working with me in drafting legislation that would require our Military Services to report to the appropriate authorities when a service member poses a threat to him or herself, or to others.

I am concerned that military program managers are rewarded for embracing the status quo and not taking prudent risks.

I have had a front row seat on how not to build a lead ship and how uncertainty can lead to years of damage to the industrial base.

The civilian personnel system at DoD too often is slow and overly bureaucratic.

It wasn't the Israelis that started this conflict.

I would suggest to you that pausing or delaying the delivery of weapons to Israel is a decision, and it is a decision that most Members of Congress would take issue with.

I supported the expanded use of these contracts to munitions in the FY24 appropriations bill.