Susan Collins

I am pleased to join Senator Shelby in presenting my friend and colleague, Senator Jeff Sessions.

I am proud to introduce him this afternoon and to recommend him to serve our next Ambassador to New Zealand.

I believe that those are essential skills for a U.S. Ambassador.

I urge this committee to support this important nomination.

I do look forward to working closely with Senator Bob Casey, who will be our new Ranking Member starting in January.

This Committee has acted as a team and, with very few exceptions, it has not been a partisan Committee at all.

I cannot understand that decision, but I am going to have to accept it.

I am particularly passionate about making sure that our seniors spend what are supposed to be their golden years in security and with their well-being protected.

It has been such an honor and pleasure to work so closely with a Senator who cares so much about the issues facing our seniors.

TRUST BETRAYED: FINANCIAL ABUSE OF OLDER AMERICANS BY GUARDIANS AND OTHERS IN POWER

I appreciate very much you bringing up the employment impact, which is certainly something for us all to think about as well.

Thank you for raising that very important issue, which is one that concerns me as well.

Three technologies, if they were mandated, could save some 10,000 lives.

What can NHTSA do to ensure that States do not arbitrarily mandate various aspects of your guidance document?

We must recognize that automated vehicle technology is advancing faster than government agencies can act.

It is particularly important that DOT work with automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and technology companies...

I am pleased to be joined today by our Ranking Member, Senator Jack Reed...

A self-driving car, or even one with limited automated features, could help seniors feel more secure driving at night.

It is important to highlight that 94 percent of these crashes are the result of human factors or, simply put, driver error.

Thank you for allowing me to appear before you today, and I look forward to your questions.

I see that, in addition to the safety benefits, and really the two are linked, as being a tremendous advantage.

This technology is so fascinating and moving so quickly, and the fact that it could substantially reduce or perhaps one day even eliminate the 94 percent of crashes that are attributable to human error is truly an astonishing fact.

Will there be deaths? Absolutely, as this technology rolls out.

What is the industry doing to address the cyber security risks of autonomous vehicles?

But should the States even be involved in this area, or should it be left up to the Federal Government so that there is a nationwide standard and approach?