Senator Collins' Statement on 109th Congress

SENATOR COLLINS' STATEMENT ON 109TH CONGRESS

Tuesday, January 4, 2005

Washington, DC - Senator Susan Collins released the following statement today following the swearing-in ceremony for the 109th Congress:

"I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate and with President Bush on many important issues to improve the lives of Mainers and all Americans. My goal this year is to promote a bipartisan working environment in the Senate so that we can focus on tackling the important issues facing this country. With the election behind us and significant issues looming such as the ongoing war in Iraq, strengthening homeland security, dealing with the deficit, simplifying our tax code, improving our health care system, expanding access to higher education, and safeguarding our environment, we need to be able to focus on our work without getting sidetracked by partisan politics. I hope that the success we had at the end of last year with the bipartisan Collins-Lieberman intelligence reform legislation will start us off on the right foot this year.

"I welcome new members to the Senate and welcome back old friends. And as always, I encourage people in Maine to get in touch with me about any thoughts or concerns you may have about current issues and the federal government. I am honored to represent the people of Maine and promise to continue working together with you to preserve the values, liberties, and freedoms that we hold dear."

http://collins.senate.gov/high/record.cfm?id=230423