October 02, 2003   SENATE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE APPROVES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY NOMINATION Mencer OK’d as Director for Office of Domestic Preparedness   WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME) commented today on her committee’s vote to approve C. Suzanne Mencer’s nomination for director of the Office of Domestic Preparedness in the Department of Homeland Security. Collins’ committee reported out the nomination today. The Office of Domestic Preparedness distributes billions of dollars of financial assistance to help states, localities, and first responders with their homeland security needs. “Ms. Mencer’s extensive experience with the FBI and Colorado’s Department of Public Safety, along with her work as a consultant on antiterrorism issues, make her highly qualified for this position,” said Senator Collins. “As director, Ms. Mencer will have many challenges ahead of her, such as coordinating agencies within and outside the Department, standardizing equipment and training standards, and coordinating emergency preparedness plans. The Governmental Affairs Committee stands ready to work with Ms. Mencer to successfully meet those challenges. I am also looking forward to working with Ms. Mencer on efforts to simplify the grant process for our first responders and to ensure that they have the necessary resources to protect their communities,” Senator Collins said. Senator Collins is the sponsor of the Homeland Security Grant Enhancement Act (S. 1245), which would provide state and local governments and communities with the resources they need to protect their communities by providing a long-term, steady stream of funding to each state; making it easier to apply for grants; promoting flexibility in the use of homeland security funding; and protecting programs that work, such as the FIRE Act. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approved S. 1245 in June.   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 October 2003 Press Releases   October 31 - Education Secretary Pledges to Work With Chairman Collins To Combat Use of Diploma Mill Degrees   October 24 - Senate Approves Collins’ Contracting Amendment in Treasury-Postal Spending Bill   October 24 - Sen. Collins Seeks Explanation of Why Contracting Waivers Have Been Granted to MCI   October 23 - Sen. Collins Pledges to Expedite Admiral Loy’s Nomination   October 22 - Committee Approves Bills Affecting Homeland Security, the Federal Workforce, and D.C.   October 22 - Committee Approves Collins’ Bill to Provide Cutting Edge Counterterrorism Equipment to Communities   October 22 - Committee Approves Collins’ Bill to Provide Budget Autonomy to the District of Columbia   October 21 - Federal Electronic Rulemaking Progresses, But More Work is Needed   October 20 - Collins Commends Small Business Administration for Issuing New Contracting Regulations   October 17 - DOD Privacy Protections Questioned by Bipartisan Trio; Collection of JetBlue Passenger Information May Have Violated the Law   October 17 - Chairman Collins Introduces Bill to Create National Women’s History Museum   October 15 - Sen. Collins Takes Steps to Strengthen U.S. Seaports Against Terrorist Attacks   October 9 - Chairman Collins Commends FDA for Issuing New Food Safety Regulations   October 2 current Press Release   October 2 - Chairman Collins Introduces Bill to Improve Mental Health Services for Children   October 1 - Chairman Collins Calls for Federal Real Property Reform
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510