Susan Collins

I hope that as MMS looks at leasing opportunities on the OCS for renewable resources, that you will revise the draft regulations which do not include the Gulf of Maine at this time.

I do not want our country to lose the edge in the development of alternative energy, particularly offshore wind, because our permitting process is so slow and cumbersome.

My State of Maine has some of the strongest offshore wind resources in the Nation, as well as the scientific and manufacturing capacity to lead the Nation in developing new composite materials for deep water offshore wind turbines.

The Long Creek watershed near Portland, Maine is one of the first in the Nation being required to reduce nonpoint source pollution under the Clean Water Act.

I want to thank the Department for the work that you've been doing to try to provide some assistance.

I would like to stay on the topic of dairy and speak about cattle health.

We're just asking that the full rulemaking process be followed so that we can have the opportunity for input.

It is an important issue. We did receive some funding, but this year the State--the conservationist, the head of NRCS, has allocated the AMA irrigation funds for other purposes.

Reduction to Border Patrol Premium Pay and Agent Staffing--CBP requests a reduction of $31.7 million in premium pay and agent staffing.

I do not think that was a credible answer.

I worry that we are waiting for a cyber 9/11 before taking this as seriously as we must.

When I hear that the cyber budget is cut by $19 million, it really concerns me.

The Inspector General has told us that the budget that you are presenting would 'significantly inhibit' his ability to carry out the operations of his office and to lead the fight on waste, fraud, and abuse.

It is a safe assumption that Congress is not going to appropriate $200 million to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York City.

The Administration thankfully has reversed course

This Committee worked very closely with the Department's Inspector General (IG) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and working with the Inspector General, we were able to identify nearly $1 billion in wasteful and fraudulent spending, which…

I cannot believe you really want these cuts for the Coast Guard. I know how highly you think of the Coast Guard.

When the Federal judges in Maine asked to meet with me to talk about border smuggling of methamphetamine, that was a real alarm call.

If, in fact, you are going to proceed with a reduction or redeployment of Border Patrol agents, it makes no sense at all to prohibit that collaboration funded by Operation Stonegarden on the Northern Border.

Raytheon won the large Warfighter FOCUS contract, worth approximately $11.5 billion over 10 years.

Chairman Boxer, Senator Inhofe, and members of the committee, I am delighted to testify today on behalf of Sandy Blitz.

I am pleased and proud to join my senior colleague from Maine, Senator Snowe, in offering him my strong support.

I cannot imagine a better person for the President to have nominated than Sandy Blitz to be the first Federal Cochair of the Northern Border Regional Commission.

I guess my concern is if you have the two current shipbuilders each building 10 ships...

Iran continues to fund, train, equip, and give some direction to residual Shia militias and extremist elements in Iraq.