Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011

Floor Speech

* Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, the first responsibility of all Members of Congress is to keep our country safe. Critical to fulfilling that obligation is providing members of the intelligence community with every resource they need to do their jobs.

* Today, with this Democratic amendment, we address this challenge head-on.

* I'd like to acknowledge the leadership of those who introduced this amendment: Congressman NADLER, Congresswoman JACKSON LEE, and Congressman ELLISON.

* I thank them for bringing to the floor legislation that: ensures that our top priority in funding our intelligence services is the campaign to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Al Qaeda and affiliated organizations; honors the extraordinary courage, dedication, and sacrifice of the intelligence officers, analysts, and Navy SEALs who located, tracked, and killed Osama bin Laden; and commends the leadership of President Obama in carrying out this mission and recognizes the commitment of Presidents Clinton and Bush for advancing this fight. As it says, this action ``brought a measure of justice to the families of the victims of 9/11.''

* Strengthening our intelligence capabilities and establishing clear priorities are not partisan issues; they are critical to our national defense.

* That is why I urge Republicans to join Democrats to pass this motion and keep the pressure on those who attacked our shores nearly 10 years ago.

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