SENATOR COLLINS RETAINS SEATS ON POWERFUL SENATE COMMITTEES
Senate leaders have announced that U.S. Senator Susan Collins will continue to serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for the 112th Congress, which began earlier this month. Senator Collins will also retain her seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Special Committee on Aging. In addition, her colleagues in the Republican caucus have again agreed to Senator Collins' request for a special waiver that will allow her to continue to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee for the 112th Congress.
In January 2009, Senator Collins became the first member of the Maine delegation since Senator Margaret Chase Smith to serve on the Senate Appropriations Committee, the oldest and most powerful Senate Committee.
Senator Collins said, "I am delighted that Senate leaders have once again chosen me for these important positions. Our nation's economy and long-term fiscal health are critical challenges facing this Congress. My continued membership on the Senate Appropriations Committee will allow me to continue to work to strengthen our economy and to adopt more fiscally responsible policies. It will also allow me to have strong input on funding of priorities that are important to Mainers, such as shipbuilding, transportation, health care, and education, while also giving me the ability to continue pressing for the elimination of wasteful spending that exacerbates our federal deficit. And, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue to work tirelessly on defense issues that are important to Maine, and our nation, and be a leading advocate for Bath Iron Works, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and the many other defense contractors in Maine that contribute to our national security."
In January 2009, Senator Collins became the first member of the Maine delegation since Senator Margaret Chase Smith to serve on the Senate Appropriations Committee, the oldest and most powerful Senate Committee.
Senator Collins said, "I am delighted that Senate leaders have once again chosen me for these important positions. Our nation's economy and long-term fiscal health are critical challenges facing this Congress. My continued membership on the Senate Appropriations Committee will allow me to continue to work to strengthen our economy and to adopt more fiscally responsible policies. It will also allow me to have strong input on funding of priorities that are important to Mainers, such as shipbuilding, transportation, health care, and education, while also giving me the ability to continue pressing for the elimination of wasteful spending that exacerbates our federal deficit. And, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue to work tirelessly on defense issues that are important to Maine, and our nation, and be a leading advocate for Bath Iron Works, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and the many other defense contractors in Maine that contribute to our national security."
