Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) speaks during a press conference at the Senate Radio and TV Gallery on Capital Hill, taking a bipartisan stand with Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) in support of changes to President Bush's energy plan. A centrist, Collins frequently seeks compromises with Democrats and forms bipartisan alliances to get results. During the 108th Congress, Collins chairs the Governmental Affairs Committee; she is only the third woman in history to chair a full-standing committee. (May 2001)