Letter to Senators Pat Roberts and John D. Rockefeller

July 29, 2004

The Honorable Pat Roberts, Chairman
The Honorable John D. Rockefeller, IV, Vice Chairman
Select Committee on Intelligence
Senate Hart 211
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chairman Roberts and Vice Chairman Rockefeller:

The Majority and Minority leaders have jointly tasked the Governmental Affairs Committee with carefully evaluating the 9-11 Commission=s proposals regarding reorganization of the Executive Branch, considering how best to implement them and producing for the Senate=s consideration a legislative package by October 1. Because this task is critical to making America safer, our committee will be working expeditiously to draft the legislation needed for implementation, focusing first on two of the 9-11 panel=s central recommendations: the creation of a national intelligence director and the establishment of a national counterterrorism center. As we conduct hearings on the Commission=s recommendations, and as we begin the process of drafting legislation, we invite you to share your views on the 9-11 Commission=s recommendation regarding executive branch restructuring, particularly as they relate to entities within your Committee=s jurisdiction. We know that your committee has considerable expertise, and so we would appreciate the benefit of your counsel. Following the Leaders= timeline, our goal is for GAC to act by October 1st so that the full Senate can consider the legislation before we adjourn for the year. This is admittedly an ambitious timetable, but there is no issue of more importance to our national security.

We appreciate your input and look forward to your response. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, or have your staff contact our staff directors, Michael Bopp (Collins) at 224-4751, or Joyce Rechtschaffen (Lieberman) at 224-2627.

Sincerely,

Senator Susan Collins
Chairman

Senator Joseph I. Lieberman
Ranking Minority Member