Hatch Reaction To President's Speech On Security Breaches Exposed In Bombing Plot
Press Release
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, issued the following statement today in response to President Obama's speech about failures exposed in the Christmas bombing plot:
"Since the 9/11 attacks, the debates over intelligence reform have been about improving our intelligence capabilities through creating new organizations and new levels of espiocracy. I continue to believe that addressing the critical gaps in our intelligence capabilities -- our ability to collect, analyze and coordinate information, as well as to support the nation's policies -- has as much to do with changing the intelligence culture as it has to do with creating new boxes, such as the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the National Counterterrorism Center, on an organizational chart. Unfortunately, Congress is much better at mandating change by creating these boxes than it is at changing culture -- which requires sustained and focused oversight.
"I hope President Obama's recent experience in examining the serious stumbles by the Intelligence Community prior to the Christmas airline attack, which failed due to the enemy's incompetence, not due to prevention by the Intelligence Community, has led him to the decision that there is a continuing need for improvement and reform. I know that he does not need reminding that al-Qaida remains capable and intent on delivering mass casualties to our homeland as well as to Americans around the world.
"Whether the president's recommendations will address ongoing systemic problems, including the functioning of newly created elements such as the National Counterterrorism Center, which appears to have failed to do what it was created to do, will be determined in the months ahead. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has already begun its review of the Christmas airplane plot, in addition to the many other subjects of ongoing importance to national security. My work on that Committee is dedicated to improving these capabilities that keep Utahns, and our nation as a whole, secure."
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