Hearing of the House Administration Committee - "Committee Funding for the 112th Congress"

Statement

Chairman Lungren and Ranking Member Brady, thank you for the opportunity to present the Permanent Select Committee's bi-partisan budget request for the 112th Congress.

Given the current challenging fiscal environment, the Committee has sought to achieve greater efficiencies in the conduct of its work. Accordingly, the Committee's budget request reflects a 5% decrease from the Committee's top-line budget for the 111th Congress. Additionally, the proposed budget does not include an increase for any budget category from 2011 to 2012.

As you know, our nation's Intelligence Community is the first line of defense against the many threats we face. The hard work of the men and women of the intelligence community is one of the primary reasons there has not been a successful major attack on the homeland since 9/11 despite numerous failed and disrupted plots, and al Qaeda's unrelenting efforts to attack us. The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence fulfills two critical roles designed to ensure the government's successful, continued conduct of intelligence activities. First, our Committee serves as a connection between the classified business of intelligence and the American people. Through strong and effective oversight, we are responsible for assuring the American people that all of our government's intelligence activities are conducted in a manner consistent with American values.

Second, the Committee ensures that the men and women of the Intelligence Community have the resources, capabilities, and authorities they need to keep our country safe. In short, strong and effective oversight committees contribute to the successful conduct of intelligence activities.

Mr. Chairman, the specifics of the Committee's budget request are designed to ensure the fulfillment of both roles. The Committee must continue to recruit and retain a highly qualified and cleared staff. While the Committee has not yet filled all of its staff positions, we anticipate filling as many vacancies as necessary to fulfill the Committee's mission. In this request, we continue the Committee's tradition of allocating two thirds of the personnel funds to the majority, and one third to the minority.

Additionally, over the past several years, the Committee has made significant improvements to its information technology systems. Given these improvements, we are able to reduce expenditures for such equipment. The funds we have requested in this area will be used to ensure the continued safe processing, dissemination, and retention of Committee documents and communications.

We will ensure that any expenditure for such IT systems takes into account the growing and evolving cyber threats.

Mr. Chairman, the Committee's budget request for the 112th Congress is sound, ensuring an effective oversight in a fiscally responsible manner. The funds requested will ensure that the Committee fulfills its critical role in the nation's conduct of intelligence activities.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. We welcome any questions the Committee might have.

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