Washington, DC – Senator Susan Collins today released a statement following the announcement that Admiral James Loy is stepping down as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS announced that Admiral Loy will remain at his post until March 1, 2005 or until a successor is confirmed. Senator Collins is the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has oversight of DHS and is responsible for holding confirmation hearings for Admiral Loy’s replacement.
The following is Senator Collins’ statement:
“I have worked closely with Admiral Loy over the past year. He was particularly responsive to needs of the people of Maine, working to help residents living along the Canadian border who needed greater access to border crossings and communities who asked for a delay to new licensing requirements so that skilled nurses from Canada could continue to work in Maine hospitals. I thank him for his lifelong dedication to the protection of our country and for his service at DHS.
“I hope that the person nominated to be the next Deputy Secretary at DHS will be as sensitive to the needs of states with significant coastlines, as was Admiral Loy.
“I am confident that the White House will act quickly to nominate strong and capable candidates for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary positions, and my Committee will consider them as expeditiously as possible.”