Congressman Cummings Votes to Approve Intelligence Reform Bill

Press Release

Today, Congressman Cummings joined 335 of his colleagues in approving the conference report for the Intelligence Reform bill, S.2845. Following passage in the Senate, which is scheduled for Wednesday, this bill is expected to be signed by the President.

"The Intelligence Reform Act will help safeguard Americans against potential terrorist attacks, and allow appropriate federal authorities to better assess threats to our nation's security," Congressman Cummings said. "This legislation is especially important to my constituents in Maryland's 7th Congressional District due our proximity to high-risk areas."

The bill, which adopts the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, does the following:

* Establishes a National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) that will coordinate and unify all elements of counterterrorism operations planning.
* Creates a Privacy and Civil Liberties Board that will review the policies and practices of counter-terrorism activities. This provision will help create a balance between national security and civil liberties.
* Requires the President of the United States to establish an Information Sharing Environment to facilitate the timely sharing of vital threat information among federal agencies and with relevant state, local, and private sector personnel.

In addition to these provisions, the bill will help restructure the FBI's intelligence capability, provide help to emergency responders, enhance public safety communications inter-operability, improve foreign relations, especially with the Middle East and South Asia, and improve the nation's aviation and maritime security.

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