When the 108th Congress convenes this month, Maine’s Sen. Susan Collins will become the new Governmental Affairs Committee chairperson. When the 108th Congress remained under Democratic control with Sen. Joseph Lieberman, investigation of President Bush’s ties to energy companies and other corporations was a high priority.

Although Sen. Collins has not disclosed her plans for pursuing an investigation, she has suggested that she won’t back down from pressing the White House for information, saying, “I believe that any administration should provide documents and information that Congress legitimately needs to carry out its investigative responsibilities.”

Time will tell whether Sen. Collins proves Maine’s motto, “Dirigo: I lead.”

Ned Rendall, M.D.

Blue Hill Falls