Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013

Floor Speech

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, I commend Chairman ROGERS and Ranking Member RUPPERSBERGER for continuing their tradition for the third straight year of reporting a bipartisan Intelligence Authorization bill. H.R. 5743, the Intelligence Authorization Act, comes to the floor today after having passed the Intelligence Committee by a unanimous 19 0 vote.

The bill allocates resources to critical national security programs including those that detect, prevent, and disrupt potential terrorist attacks against the American people. The bill enhances counter terrorism efforts against al Qaeda and its global affiliates; increases oversight of the spending at intelligence agencies and supports global initiatives to address emerging threats to our national security.

The measure provides funding to the Central Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the National Security Agency and other agencies, for operations, personnel and equipment. Though much of the funding is classified, each dollar is intended to address the funding needs of this country's clandestine services.

The valiant American men and woman who toil anonymously in the shadows of the intelligence world deserve our full support for their dedicated service. The funding authorized by this bill will help ensure they have the resources they need to do their job.

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