OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Intelligence Committee Reorganization

Date: Oct. 9, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security


INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE REORGANIZATION-CONTINUED

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, because of previous long-standing commitments in the State of California and an unexpected family illness, I was not able to be present to vote on the Senate Intelligence Reform Resolution. Had I been present, I would have voted "yes."

Earlier this week, the Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation to implement recommendations of the 9/11 Commission in terms of reforming the intelligence structure of the executive branch and strengthening our efforts at homeland security.
That was an important bill, and I hope we can quickly resolve differences with the House so that it can be sent to the President for his signature.

Equally important, however, is to implement intelligence reforms here in the Senate, as was also recommended by the 9/11 Commission.

This resolution strengthens the Senate Intelligence Committee, and it creates a new Intelligence Appropriations Subcommittee. In addition, the Government Affairs Committee will become the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Committee will have greater jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security.

All three of these steps will streamline operations in the Senate and make it easier for the Senate to conduct meaningful oversight of intelligence and homeland security.

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