Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 - Conference Report

INTELLIGENCE REFORM AND TERRORISM PREVENTION ACT OF 2004--CONFERENCE REPORT --
(Senate - December 08, 2004)

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the Senate will proceed to consideration of the conference report to accompany S. 2845 which the clerk will report.

The legislative clerk read as follows:

The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the amendment of the House to the bill (S. 2845) to reform the intelligence community and the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, and for other purposes, having met, have agreed that the Senate recede from its disagreement to the amendment of the House and agree to the same with an amendment, and the House agree to the same, signed by a majority of the conferees on the part of both Houses.

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The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

The Senator from New York is recognized.

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I thank my friend from Michigan for yielding. I thank all those who worked on this bill. It is not everything we all would have wanted, but it is a large improvement, and I am proud to vote for this bill. I want to take a few brief minutes simply to praise the families from the New York metropolitan area who worked so long and hard on this bill.

Today we live in a cynical time. But these families showed that a small group of people, if they have the will and the fortitude and the strength and the courage, can move mountains, even here in Washington. Without the families, we would not have had a 9/11 Commission. Without the families, we would not have had a 9/11 bill. Without the families, we would not have had each House pass its own bills. And without the families, we would not have had the agreement we have come to now.

They are an amazing group. When you look into their eyes, as they carry their pictures of their lost husbands and wives and children and parents, you see the best of America and the best of New York. They are a beacon, a model of strength, of courage, of indomitability, and they can rest easier tonight, as we all can, that our world will be safer, and perhaps the horrible thing that happened to our city and our country on that tragic day of 9/11 will not be repeated, God willing, again.

Madam President, I yield the floor and thank my colleague from Michigan for his generosity.

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