Susan Collins

This decision has been perplexing to many of the automobile dealers in my State.

The Obama budget will produce a deficit level averaging 5.3 percent of GDP across the 10-year budget window.

While I supported the short-term fiscal stimulus as necessary to get our economy back on track, I am troubled that the President's budget proposes to double the debt in 5 years and triple it in 10.

It is disturbing to me that we really cannot assess what impact TARP funds has had on recipients, and whether TARP has truly increased lending.

It troubles me that banks have received billions of dollars without having to demonstrate that they've increased lending.

The Special Inspector General for TARP criticized the Treasury for not adopting recommendations to require that all TARP recipients account for the use of the funds.

I don't see, on the grassroots level, the benefits of putting billions of dollars into financial institutions.

I remain very concerned, as I indicated to you in our conversation yesterday, about the management accountability and transparency of the troubled asset relief program (TARP) fund.

I just want to express some concern also about the President's budget in the area of the zeroing out of the rural empowerment zones and Enterprise Communities Grants Program.

Our Nation must work together on comprehensive, long-term actions that will stabilize gas and oil prices, prevent energy shortages, and achieve national energy independence.

I am a strong supporter of the National Park Service Centennial Initiative.

There has been progress, but there is a long way to go.

I commend GSA for starting to involve the community in those discussions, but it is absolutely critical that it occurs in a way that does not create problems for the biggest employer of the area.

Senator Lieberman and I have authored contracting reforms that are now law.

I, too, am concerned about the explosive growth in government-wide acquisition contracts and multi-agency contracts because I believe the prevalence of those vehicles for purchasing demonstrates a lack of confidence in GSA.

As President Obama's nominee to lead the General Services Administration, Martha Johnson comes to this Committee with significant experience in both the private sector and the Federal Government.

The Federal Government must invest significantly in its acquisition workforce.

The CFTC has been woefully understaffed.

I share the concerns that this agency is both underfunded, as you and Senator Lieberman's panel determined last year.

What are your plans to reach out to investors, particularly small investors or senior citizens?

So clearly, we need to resolve that.

Which is why we need this council of regulators approach because the problem now is the marketplace is always going to be innovating.

Do you need new positions for the upcoming fiscal year?

They're seeking more information.

The Department's response to the GAO report sounds like a turf battle to me rather than focusing on what the objectives should be.