Honda Statement on Passage of the 9/11 Intel Act

Statement

Today, I joined my House colleagues in supporting S. 2845, the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Implementation Act that overhauls our nation's intelligence agencies and institutes a broad range of security and law enforcement programs.

I supported this bill because it reflects the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, including implementing badly needed reform measures to strengthen border, aviation, and maritime security, while enhancing programs for emergency responders and law enforcement.

After months of delay by House Republicans, Congress has finally acted on the 9/11 Commission's recommendations to make America safer. Although the legislation is not perfect, it does begin the process of overhauling our intelligence agencies by creating a Director of National Intelligence.

I strongly opposed earlier House versions of the bill because it contained harmful provisions on immigration and law enforcement. The removal of these ill-advised and unnecessary provisions allowed me to join 335 House colleagues in supporting the final version of this legislation.

I hope that passage of this bill will bring some comfort to the families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks, and that our intelligence community embraces this opportunity to make America safer and smarter in the War on Terror.

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