Susan Collins

I think that would be helpful information for us to have.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Those are my last words.

I would like your best judgment on, what should we do about that issue?

I just don't want to lead what--leave what would be a misleading----

I personally don't know who's right. This is a case where different actuaries have come to different conclusions.

Thank you. Those sound like very worthwhile and protective moves on the Commission's part.

The combination of the cost of third-party testing for the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act plus the economic downturn has forced this business to close up altogether.

We really need to find a way that allows them to ensure their products are safe, but doesn't put them out of business.

And it seems like you're choosing a route that goes in the opposite direction.

One of the major problems that the Postal Service is facing is a reduction in volume.

As Senator Collins noted, in July 2009 GAO added the Postal Service's financial condition to our high-risk list again and reported that action is urgently needed in multiple areas so that the Postal Service can achieve financial viability.

I encourage the Postmaster General to negotiate with our unions about cross-craft training.

There's a considerable difference in the estimates of savings.

Obviously, our first priority is to make sure that all products, including toys for children, are safe.

I have always been a strong advocate for our Federal workforce.

Everything we've seen suggests that they're going to have difficulty, now or in the future, with some of these payments.

Whatever plan we adopt, we have to make sure that it truly positions the Postal Service for the future.

I think that's a really--

The Postal Service, as the chairman has pointed out, is one of our oldest institutions. It is the lynchpin of a $900 billion mailing industry that employs close to 9 million people.

This is such a complex and important issue. We clearly need more transparency.

I think that needs to be addressed, and I would encourage you to do that.

In 2008, we acted to strengthen the laws governing the safety of goods entering this country and to provide much-needed additional resources to intercept unsafe products by passing the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

The GAO says that 80 percent of the Postal Service's costs are employee related.

Well, I can tell you, you're encouraging them to move faster.

I believe for Federal employees it's about one-third of the premium.