Congressman Olver Statement on the 9/11 Reforms

CONGRESSMAN OLVER STATEMENT ON THE 9/11 REFORMS

Congressman John W. Olver (1st District) issued the following statement today regarding S. 2845, the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Implementation Act:

WASHINGTON - "Today, the House of Representatives, and later the Senate, will finally pass legislation based on the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission. The legislation resembles a bill passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the Senate two months ago. Although not a perfect bill, it does have the potential to reduce the likelihood of future successful terrorist attacks on American soil.

"The creation of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) is an important step toward ensuring that our intelligence agencies have the 'quarterback' they have lacked. I'm disappointed that turf battles waged by the Pentagon stripped the DNI of much of the budgetary authority envisioned by 9/11 Commissioners and the Senate. Still, this legislation will allow for increased intelligence sharing among agencies, discourage 'group think,' and promote flexibility and creativity in our intelligence system. The bill also directs the Department of Homeland Security to develop a national strategy for mass transit security. These steps are critical and overdue.

"It's unfortunate that this legislation was held up by a few high-ranking members of the House Republican majority. While it has always been clear that the bill would pass easily if brought to the floor, the House Republican leadership delayed the vote this fall without an acceptable reason for doing so. Thankfully, the 108th Congress can now come to a close with the enactment of needed reforms of our intelligence community."