Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

Floor Speech

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Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1892, The 2012 Intelligence Authorization Act and to congratulate Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Ruppersberger for their close collaboration on the bill and for their willingness to work together to shape a bi-partisan measure. This legislation demonstrates the Intelligence Committee's continued commitment to honoring the sacrifices and dedication of the public servants who comprise the Nation's intelligence community.

Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, 2001. Today this body will consider two pieces of legislation directly relevant to that event. H. Res. 391, which expresses the sense of the House regarding the anniversary of the attacks and H.R. 1892.

H.R. 1892, the FY12 Intelligence Authorization Act, authorizes about $80 billion in funding for the 17 agencies that oversee and conduct the nation's intelligence and intelligence-related activities including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the CIA, and the National Security Agency, as well as intelligence activities of the Defense Department, FBI, State Department, Homeland Security Department, and other agencies. The Intelligence Committee has written the bill with enhanced oversight and accountability features to better protect the American taxpayer's investment in national security and to prevent the wasting of resources. In that regard, the bill cuts one billion dollars from the intelligence budget without sacrificing the Nation's security by merging services and finding other savings. The bill is fiscally responsible and preserves national security. I support both H. Res. 391 and H.R. 1892 and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

The intelligence apparatus of the country has evolved and improved since the tragic events of September 11th and now collaborates on data collection and analysis in a way that it did not ten years ago. The culture of our intelligence community now has a more open and inclusive attitude across all platforms from the highest levels of government down to the agent in the field.

The fruits of that successful collaboration were on bold display on May 1, 2011 when a commando team of Navy Seals brought Osama bin Laden to justice during their secret raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Due to the concerted efforts, dedication and hard work of our Nation's clandestine services and the people who support them, the U.S. is safer now than it was in the days leading up the attacks of September 11th.

We meet today in advance of Sunday's anniversary to honor and remember the heroes and victims of 9/11. We also gather to express once again our gratitude to the focused, determined and persistent efforts of the men and women who comprise this Nation's intelligence community for all that they do.

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