Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 4681, the ``Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015''.

As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland on Security, I understand the importance of this legislation. H.R. 4681 enhances the national security of the United States and is a vital tool for Congressional oversight of the activities of the Intelligence Community. It is critical that our intelligence agencies have all of the resources and authorities they need to accomplish the important responsibility of keeping Americans safe. I commend Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member RUPPERSBERGER for their tireless work on these issues and the exhaustive process of drafting a bipartisan authorization.

H.R. 4681 authorizes Federal intelligence, intelligence-related, and information sharing activities, including those of the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A). I&A is an element of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as well as the Intelligence Community, and its activities support missions in both. As such, I&A occupies the unique role as a central conduit for analysis and information sharing among stakeholders which include the intelligence agencies, components of the DHS, other Federal partners, and State, local, tribal, and territorial entities. In this role, I&A supports and collaborates with State and local partners through the National Network of Fusion Centers, and provides analytic support to the DHS components.

Consistent with our jurisdiction, the Committee on Homeland Security has conducted extensive oversight over these programs and missions, to include the July 2013 release of a report on ``The National Network of Fusion Centers.''

While I support the overall purpose of the bill, I am concerned that the effort includes provisions that seek to limit the support I&A provides DHS, its component agencies, and to the 78 fusion centers around the nation. I believe this risks depriving the Homeland Security Enterprise of valuable information and expertise at a time when we know the threats to the homeland persist.

As the bill moves through the process and negotiations begin with the Senate, I will continue to work to ensure that these issues are addressed and that State and local law enforcement, and other first responders, receive the support they need from the Department of Homeland Security.

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