back FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  CONTACT: October 8, 2004 Kate Dwyer: 202-226-7326 House Passes Intelligence Overhaul Bill WASHINGTON – Wisconsin’s First District Congressman Paul Ryan today voted in favor of legislation that would restructure and reform the U.S. intelligence system, take new steps to thwart terrorism, and strengthen homeland security.  The legislation – H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act – passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 282-134.  The comprehensive measure responds to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations regarding intelligence and national security, following more than 20 hearings and the input of seven House committees.  The Senate has already passed its own version of this legislation, and the next step will be for the House and Senate to reconcile the differences and agree on a common plan. This legislation creates a National Intelligence Director to serve as the head of the U.S. intelligence community and manage the National Intelligence Program, working through the heads of departments in the intelligence community. The House version of this proposal keeps the nation’s intelligence spending classified and preserves the ability of the Secretary of Defense to manage defense intelligence community assets to effectively support combatant commanders.  “There’s a right way and there’s a wrong way to fix our intelligence system, and I think the House is on the right track with this proposal,” Ryan said.  “We need to have better information sharing and cooperation between the different parts of our intelligence community.  At the same time, this reform must respect the operational needs of our military forces, preserve the chain of command and ensure our troops rapid access to the best, most up-to-date intelligence.  This plan also streamlines funding for local first responders to improve security on the homefront.”   H.R. 10 includes the following provisions to upgrade our nation’s intelligence system and make the U.S. safer:  Creates a National Intelligence Director, separate from the Director of the CIA, to serve as head of the intelligence community.  Establishes a National Counterterrorism Center within the Office of National Intelligence Director to serve as the primary organization in the U.S. government for analyzing and integrating all intelligence possessed or acquired by the U.S. government pertaining to terrorism and counterterrorism, except for intelligence pertaining exclusively to domestic terrorists and domestic counterterrorism.  Establishes within the National Intelligence Director’s office a Civil Liberties Protection Officer. Keeps all intelligence spending classified and preserves the ability of the Secretary of Defense to manage defense intelligence community assets to effectively support combatant commanders.  Requires the National Intelligence Director to report to Congress on the existing human intelligence (HUMINT) capacity, including a plan to implement changes to accelerate improvements to, and increase the capacity of, HUMINT across the intelligence community. Strengthens foreign language training and resources for the intelligence community. Authorizes Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants to investigate lone-wolf terrorists – those involved in international terrorism but not affiliated with a known terrorist group. Strengthens laws against weapons of mass destruction and against providing material support for terrorists. Enhances airline security in several ways such as promoting the use of biometric technologies, establishing a pilot program to evaluate the use of blast-resistant containers for cargo and baggage, and requiring that federal law enforcement officers who fly while on duty receive in-flight counterterrorism and weapons handling training. Targets terrorist travel, expanding the preinspection efforts at foreign airports to better target suspected terrorists before they enter the U.S. Unclogs the funding pipeline from the federal government to local first responders to help expedite resources to where they are most needed.  Includes numerous provisions that encourage and facilitate better cooperation with our allies in the war on terrorism and promote cross-cultural understanding.   back