[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S11737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 INTELLIGENCE REFORM CONFERENCE REPORT

  Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I also join Senator Graham in his remarks 
urging the House to pass the intelligence reform conference report, 
which I am told most, if not all, of the members of the Senate 
conferees signed. I salute Senator Collins and Senator Lieberman who 
heroically over the last weeks have attempted to reach an agreement on 
this important measure.
  I note that he cochairs the 9/11 Commission with former Governor Kean 
and former Representative Hamilton who have endorsed it strongly, as 
have the family members.
  I agree with Senator Graham. It is a tragedy that after that 
Commission report, after we held hearings in the Governmental Affairs 
Committee of the Senate, on which I am proud to serve, during the 
August recess, marked up the bill which had overwhelming bipartisan 
support, I believe every amendment added to that bill in that 
Governmental Affairs Committee, it had bipartisan majority support, 
passed here on the Senate floor, I am proud to have supported it--to 
walk away from it now after the Senate and House conferees agreed to 
the legislation because of the resistance of a few members in the House 
Republican caucus who are evidently able to persuade their Members and 
leadership not to proceed with it is a tragic loss for the people of 
America. It is a terrible failure on the part of the House to live up 
to its agreement. To go through that lengthy process and not have the 
final measure approved tonight is a tragedy for our country and for our 
security.

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