[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 21, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4023-S4024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SECURITY AT AMERICA'S NUCLEAR LABORATORIES

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I would like to talk briefly on the 
critically important hearings being conducted in Congress regarding the 
alleged national security breaks at our Department of Energy nuclear 
weapons laboratories. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural 
Resources Committee, I am committed to finding the answer to what may 
have happened and ensure that our national security is just that--
secure.
  I share the concern of most Americans that starting during the Reagan 
Administration, Chinese spies reportedly stole secrets from New 
Mexico's Los Alamos National Laboratory to assist China in developing 
advanced nuclear weapons. I am also concerned with the perceived 
inaction by individuals and agencies within our government for almost 
ten years. However, I strongly discourage my colleagues and others in 
framing this issue in partisan terms because the timeline we are 
discussing here today includes three Administrations of both parties. 
The goal of placing blame on Republicans or Democrats is 
counterproductive to the ultimate need of finding answers that lead to 
solutions.
  The American public is entitled to know whether critically important 
secrets were stolen from our nuclear laboratories. We, as citizens of a 
democracy, also have the right to know what steps our government took--
or failed to take--to protect our interests and livelihood. The 
accusations surrounding the Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory have shaken 
the trust Americans have in our national security, our government, and 
our developing relationship with China, the most populated country in 
the world. It is the responsibility of this committee, Congress as a 
whole, and the Administration to provide the American public with the 
answers they deserve.
  Accountability and accuracy must be established in this matter. 
However, knowing what happened and who was responsible is not enough. I 
am hopeful that out of this committee hearing and

[[Page S4024]]

subsequent investigations by other Congressional committees and 
governmental agencies, we can make sure our national security secrets 
are safe in a world where it is inevitable and necessary that 
scientists from different countries work together.
  Action must be taken if it is found that security lagged and 
individuals failed to respond in a timely and appropriate manner. 
Action must also be taken if it is found that foreign governments 
actively spied in our nuclear laboratories. However, we will not know 
what action is necessary until all the information is presented. I look 
forward to working with my colleagues on this issue and will continue 
to work to ensure that important questions are answered fully.

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