House of Representatives - January 26, 2005

INTELLIGENCE REFORM IS STILL NOT DONE

Mr. Speaker, 

The House passed intelligence reform legislation last year, and the bill was another step to strengthen efforts against an enemy bent not on our defeat, but on our destruction. 

But the conference committee was dominated by those that ignored key recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

The final product was watered down. It did not have a plan to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses. 

It did not put in place stricter asylum standards, problems identified by the 9/11 Commission as glaring weaknesses in our Nation's defenses.

Mr. Speaker, 19 of the 9/11 hijackers had 63 driver's licenses between them. How can this Nation in a time of war leave such a glaring hole in our Nation's defenses? 

Mr. Speaker, this was wrong, and that is why I am hopeful that the legislation introduced this week by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), which I cosponsored which strengthens security standards on driver's licenses and asylum standards, will pass. 

I hope the Senate and the 9/11 Commission will support our efforts to do so.