Susan Collins

Potato wart is a serious, internationally-quarantined disease of cultivated potato that is not known to be present in the United States.

I don't understand what the rationale of the Department is in implementing the program in a way that is not fuel and technologically neutral.

I can assure you that the industry is organized and aware now and weighing in.

I think Senator Tester just raised an absolutely essential issue that does deserve our attention.

I am concerned, however, that it does not address soil, machinery, or potato movement from PEI to other areas in Canada.

I commend APHIS for acting quickly in issuing the current Federal Order with respect to potato wart.

Will you evaluate the current Federal Order to help ensure that it is effectively protecting the potato industry in the United States?

I'm pleased that you have announced a new round of funding for State competitive equipment grants.

Senator Heitkamp and I have introduced a bill that would actually authorize the program.

I think Senator Tester just raised an absolutely essential issue that does deserve our attention.

I understand Chairman Collins has introduced legislation with Senator Nelson to provide important incentives for small businesses to offer retirement plans for their employees.

I urge this Committee to find ways to make 401(k) plan solutions available to more small businesses that may not have the resources that we do.

Today, I am convening the first in what will be a series of hearings on retirement security.

If you have found time to travel to 20 States and yet did not come to the State of Maine, you may wish to reconsider your travel in the next year.

I would wager, everyone on this subcommittee would make about the cuts in the Community Development Block Grant Program.

This is terrible. No wonder morale is bad.

I do not see how someone who is running a private trucking business out of her HUD office could possibly be performing her HUD duties.

I have to tell you I have heard this song before every year, and that was even before the premium reduction.

Just a couple more questions, Mr. Secretary.

You need to make this a priority because it is only fair to the very hardworking majority of employees who are at HUD.

I must say I was a bit puzzled by this request because it seems to me what we ought to do is move the perpetrators out of these housing.

Yes, and let me ask you about that before I turn to the Vice Chairwoman for her questions, because even though overall veterans homelessness has only been reduced by a third, according to your latest statistics, so I would argue we have a…

I do not understand the basis for this belief given that the point in time count has not been conducted yet.

I think that is a real problem in terms of attracting people to this very important Department.

The request also supports the administration's goal to prevent and end homelessness.