Conference Report on H. R. 2082, Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

Floor Speech

CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2082, INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008 -- (Extensions of Remarks - December 18, 2007)

HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN
OF MARYLAND
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2007

* Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Conference Report to the Intelligence Authorization Act of 2008. This legislation authorizes appropriations for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; the Central Intelligence Agency; the Department of Defense; the National Security Agency; and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

* The legislation touches all aspects of our national security--from preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, to anticipating and addressing developing threats around the world. Additionally, this legislation ensures that intelligence is collected, analyzed, and disseminated in a manner that comports with American law, policies and values.

* In conference, we added a provision requiring U.S. interrogation policies employed by our intelligence community to follow those outlined in the U.S. Army Field Manual. The strength of our Nation comes not only from the might of our military, but from the power of our example. Historically, the United States has stood as a beacon for human rights and the rule of law. Unfortunately, that light has been dimmed recently as a result of the Bush Administration's gross indifference to the Geneva Convention and anti-torture regimes. The language was inserted not only to help regain our moral standing around the world, but also as a critical step toward protecting our own troops captured in the field. It is no secret that the world looks to how we treat our prisoners when determining how to treat our troops.

* When we practice waterboarding or when we inhumanely parade our detainees around naked before the cameras, the world sees this as the standard to apply to the treatment of American troops.

* According to testimony received by intelligence committees in the House and Senate, the U.S. Army Field Manual provides a detailed description of interrogation strategies that can be used to effectively elicit information from detainees while allowing the flexibility to adapt particular approaches to particular situations.

* Importantly, the U.S. Army Field Manual also includes a number of specific prohibitions. Acts of violence or intimidation--including physical or mental torture, or exposure to inhumane treatment--are prohibited.

* It also explicitly prohibits forcing a detainee to be naked; perform sexual acts; placing hoods or sacks over the head of a detainee; electric shock; burning or other forms of physical pain; waterboarding; using military working dogs; conducting mock executions; and depriving the detainee of necessary food, water, or medical care.

* Private security companies, funded by billions of dollars in U.S. military and State Department contracts, are performing many of the jobs handled by our troops. Some of these jobs include work assigned to the intelligence community.

* This conference report adds an additional level of oversight and accountability of these contractors by requiring the director of national intelligence to provide a report to Congress by April of next year, describing the services performed by contractors across the Intelligence Community.

* This conference report seeks to start the process of establishing a clear definition of the functions that may be appropriately performed by contractors employed by the intelligence community. It is key that the intelligence community exercises the will to identify criminal violations by contractors and puts in place procedures to respond to financial fraud or other abuses. Requiring a report of contractor activities will help policymakers determine whether intelligence contractors are performing functions that are legal or that should be performed by government employees.

* Passage today of this conference report will correct a three-year failure by Congress to pass an Intelligence Authorization bill. With this legislation, Congress sends to the President an intelligence package that makes new investments in human intelligence training and adds funds for sending analysts overseas while also enhancing oversight and eliminating wasteful spending. This conference report is also a significant move in the direction of reestablising our reputation abroad as a country dedicated to promoting and observing human rights.

* I am happy to support this conference report and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Source