Congressman Wynn Supports 9/11 Commission Bill

Press Release

Today, Congressman Wynn spoke on the House floor in support of the final 9/11 Commission bill. This bill improves the intelligence gathering capabilities to better address terrorist threats. This bill, consistent with the 9/11 Commission's recommendations, integrates the 15 U.S. intelligence agencies under the authority of a National Intelligence Director.

Currently, 80 percent of the intelligence budget falls under the Department of Defense - not the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or the other thirteen intelligence agencies. As a result, the Department of Defense often does not coordinate with the CIA, our most prominent intelligence agency or the other thirteen intelligence agencies.

"On 9/11, thirty of my constituents were killed in the attacks. The term 'national security' is not an amorphous one to my constituents. We learned that national security is about our personal security. That is why I have urged my colleagues to pass the 9/11 Commission's recommendations since their release in July.

"This day is long overdue. Intelligence reform is on the way. My constituents can now sleep better at night knowing that that our government is better equipped to safeguard their family from a terrorist attack," said Wynn.

The 9/11 bill also bolsters transportation security by directing the Department of Homeland Security to develop a national strategy for transportation security. The measure improves our border security by adding over 10,000 Border Patrol agents and 400 customs agents over the next five years, and creates a test program to use pilotless surveillance planes to safeguard our borders.

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