Ruppersberger Praises House Passage of Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2011

Press Release

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, praised passage of the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2011. Together with Democratic leadership, the Ranking Member was able to negotiate with the Majority an increase to the number of counterterrorism positions at the Central Intelligence Agency. These professionals, together with others members of the military and intelligence community (IC), were instrumental in locating Osama Bin Laden.

"We must remain vigilant as we continue our fight against terrorism. It is our responsibility in Congress to give our intelligence professionals the resources, capabilities and authorities they need to keep our country safe. The way Congress conducts meaningful oversight and provides critical direction for the Intelligence Community is by passing an Intelligence Authorization bill. I am pleased this bill received strong bi-partisan support, including from Chairman Mike Rogers of Michigan. The Intelligence Committee has entered into a new era of bi-partisanship where both sides of the aisle are working together to do what is right for our nation," said Ranking Member C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).

The Intel Authorization bill for FY 2010 overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 392 to 15. The bill allocates resources to important national security programs, including those that detect, interrupt and prevent potential terrorist attacks against the American people. It offers continued support to the men and women on the front lines around the world tirelessly working to protect our country.

The FY 2011 bill builds on the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2010 which was passed under the leadership of Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX). The FY 2010 bill was signed by President Obama on October 7, 2010, and was the first Intelligence Authorization Act signed into law since 2005. It provided meaning oversight and accountability to the Intelligence Community. The bill expanded important Congressional notification procedures, demanded more accountability of the IC through important reforms, improved management of the IC through conflict of interest regulations, security clearance reform and acquisition reforms, and created a statutory Inspector General for the Intelligence Community.

The FY 2011 bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

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