Diaz-Balart: CIA Should Chase Terrorists Not Polar Bears And Global Warming

Press Release

Today Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) sent a letter to President Obama urging him to instruct the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to reallocate all funding currently going to global warming and climate change activities to focus on tracking terrorists. The letter was also signed by Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan.

"It is obvious that our Intelligence Community's priorities are not in order. Instead of utilizing scarce assets in tracking global warming, the CIA should be focused on tracking terrorists and keeping Americans safe. It is deeply troubling that while we continue to face the serious threat of terrorism, our Intelligence Agency is focusing on polar bears and melting ice caps, rather than investing human intelligence and technology resources on preventing terror attacks and catching those who wish to do us harm. Climate change should not be funded by the CIA; rather the agency should focus its efforts and resources on prioritizing our nation's intelligence systems and keeping American's out of harm's way."

In September, the CIA opened the Center on Climate Change and National Security to study global warming and has been funding the effort.

Text of the letter is included below.

January 8, 2010

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

We share your concern for the safety and well-being of the American people and agree with your statement that America's first line of defense is "timely, accurate" intelligence. We are deeply troubled that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has utilized its resources to launch and operate the Center on Climate Change and National Security, diverting precious resources, including human intelligence and technology, towards tracking melting ice caps and polar bear patterns instead of tracking terrorists. As you are aware, dozens of Federal departments and agencies are already studying the impact of global warming.

Given the recent security lapses and breakdowns, including the shooting at Ft. Hood that killed 13 brave Americans and the terrorist attempt to blow up a Northwest Airline flight on Christmas Day, it is imperative that the Federal government prioritize investment in the human capital and resources necessary to make our intelligence community the best in the world as intelligence is the best defense against terrorism.

We respectfully request that you instruct the CIA to reallocate all funding currently going to global warming related activities to instead focus on tracking terrorists who are intent on causing us harm.

Sincerely,

Mario Diaz-Balart Thaddeus McCotter
Member of Congress Member of Congress

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