[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SECURITY BREACH AT LOS ALAMOS

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, America awakened in the last 24 hours to 
another very distressing disclosure of an alleged breach of security 
practices at the Los Alamos Laboratory, again relating to what is the 
greatest threat every hour, every minute of the day to this Nation; 
that is, from nuclear weapons. We are not here to prejudge any facts at 
the moment.
  From the standing rules of the Senate, rule XXV, I read:

       The Committee on the Armed Services has jurisdiction over 
     national security aspects of nuclear energy.

  Clearly, this problem falls within our domain. As chairman, in 
consultation with the ranking member, we will move very swiftly. We 
will establish a hearing date as soon as we can to develop those facts 
that can be publicly disclosed and such facts as must remain 
classified. The Armed Services Committee has dealt with this issue for 
over a year. In the authorization last year, we had a hard fought 
debate on this floor about establishing a new entity within the 
Department of Energy. Indeed, we did it. It was signed into law, and it 
is ready to go.
  Our committee also has jurisdiction over the nominees to head this 
new entity. I refer the Senate to item 1010 in Nominations, Gen. John 
H. Gordon, United States Air Force, to be Under Secretary for Nuclear 
Security, Department of Energy. That was May 24.
  I am writing a letter to the majority leader today and, indeed, to 
the distinguished Democratic leader, asking that this nomination be 
brought up immediately. There are allegations that certain Senators 
think that the law that was passed last year has to be changed. That is 
a matter that can be brought up before the Senate at any time. But I do 
not think this Nation should sit 1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day longer on the 
nomination of this outstanding American, who has impeccable 
credentials, to take over this whole problem of security in the 
Department of Energy and is waiting to do so. Let us act on this 
nomination. I am certain the distinguished majority leader, in 
consultation with the Democratic leader, will move to see that this is 
done at the earliest opportunity. I hope it is done today.
  I will advise the Senate later today with regard to the hearing of 
the Senate Armed Services Committee.
  This is a matter of serious concern. At the hearing, we intend to 
call Secretary Richardson, General Habiger, who is the Chief of 
Security Operations, and Mr. Ed Curran, Chief of Counterintelligence. 
It may or may not be a counterintelligence matter. We don't want to 
prejudge the facts. But action is needed by this body, first on the 
nomination, and then to look into this situation. There is nothing that 
poses a greater threat to the United States of America, indeed, to our 
allies, than that from nuclear weapons.
  It is ironic. This particular alleged security breach is basically in 
the same location of the previous incident involving Wen Ho Lee, as I 
understand it, probably the same floor, same corridor. We have 
testimony in the record, which I will add to the record, of the 
Secretary of Energy, who has appeared repeatedly before the committees 
of the Congress. This incident is clearly on Secretary Richardson's 
watch; let there be no mistake about that. He has repeatedly advised 
the Congress that he has put in place such regulations and other 
measures as to protect the United States, protect this Department from 
such alleged security breaches it faces this morning.
  Mr. President, I am speaking after consultation, of course, with the 
majority leader's office and Senators Domenici and Kyl, who have worked 
with me on this matter for some 18 months.

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