WASHINGTON, DC—Senator Susan Collins, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the Department of Homeland Security and the confirmation of its Secretary, has released the following statement regarding Bernard Kerik’s decision to withdraw from consideration for DHS Secretary:
“There are many strong potential candidates for this important post. As I previously indicated, I believe that Senator Joe Lieberman or Assistant DHS Secretary Asa Hutchinson would be terrific choices.
“I am confident that President Bush will move swiftly to find a replacement for Bernie Kerik. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which I chair, will begin its review of the nominee as soon as possible to move this individual through the confirmation process in the Senate.”