Lake County News - Thompson Legislation to Improve Embassy Security Passes House

News Article

By Staff

Legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) to improve the security at American embassies passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of H.R. 4681, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015.

Studies since the Benghazi attack in 2012 have identified the need for security personnel at U.S. diplomatic posts to receive threat information from the Intelligence Community in a timely manner so that they can request and receive security enhancements as needed.

Thompson's legislation will address this need by helping enhance information sharing.

"We have a responsibility to protect all Americans serving our country overseas," said Thompson. "Since the Benghazi attack in 2012, we've spent far too much time playing politics and creating scandals, and far too little time discussing what needs to be done to help make our embassies safer. Studies have shown we need to improve communication between our Intelligence Community and our diplomatic outposts, and this amendment will help us do just that."

Making sure security personnel at U.S. diplomatic posts receive threat information from the Intelligence Community in a timely manner requires excellent information sharing and communication between the Intelligence and Diplomatic Security communities.

Thompson's legislation directs the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to provide an assessment of the status of threat information sharing between the Intelligence Community and diplomatic security personnel, and to propose remedial action to help make sure security personnel at U.S. embassies can request and receive security enhancements in a timely manner.

The classified report from the DNI will be submitted to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.

H.R. 4681 passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 345-59. It now goes to the Senate for their consideration.

Thompson represents California's Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.

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