[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 139 (Wednesday, December 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S11938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning we will begin consideration of 
the conference report to accompany the intelligence reform bill. We 
have a number of Senators who desire to speak, and we hope to lock in a 
time for a vote later this afternoon. As announced last night--and 
again we will try to lock all of this in shortly, after discussion with 
the Democratic leadership--we are working toward beginning the vote 
sometime around 2 to 2:30 today. This will have to be adjusted 
depending on how many people do want to speak and how long they want to 
speak. We continue to have Members who are adjusting their schedules, 
who will be traveling today, and thus we will, in a very unusual 
fashion, keep the vote open until sometime around 5 or 5:15 today to 
accommodate individuals' schedules.
  The actual time in terms of bringing the bill to the floor was 
dependent upon the House schedule, and as everyone knows, and our 
colleagues know, that bill was passed last night. We will shortly begin 
to address that bill here formally on the floor. Once all of our 
colleagues have had the opportunity to discuss the bill, we will 
proceed to the vote.
  I expect later today, tonight, the Senate will adjourn sine die, and 
that will be following the disposition of the intelligence reform 
conference report. There will be additional wrap-up items that we will 
address, including some of the executive nominations before we close 
sine die.


                        Intelligence Reform Bill

  Mr. President, let me also say, with respect to the intelligence bill 
we will pass today, it is the most sweeping reform of our intelligence 
community since the beginning of the CIA. This is a huge accomplishment 
for the United States of America and for the U.S. Congress and, indeed, 
for the President of the United States, but most importantly for the 
American people whose safety and security are first and foremost in all 
of our minds.
  The reform of our intelligence community is not going to end today, 
and we have seen that in the debates. In many ways this is a major leap 
forward, but we all understand in this changing environment that 
intelligence community reform and the strengthening and improving of 
our intelligence is an ongoing process, and debates and recommendations 
will continue well into the future. This body will continue to respond 
in an expeditious manner, as has been demonstrated over the last 4, 
4\1/2\ months since the release of the 9/11 Commission report.
  With the step that is going to be taken today in this body, our 
country will be safer from those plotting against us. The bill provides 
for much improved coordination, much improved communication within our 
intelligence community.
  We have heard it argued by many people that it does not go far 
enough, and then we hear it argued that it goes too far. Again, it is 
not a perfect bill. There is never a perfect bill or piece of 
legislation that comes to this body, but it is a very strong bill, and 
we clearly are not going to let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
  We must adapt. Our intelligence capabilities must adapt. By passage 
of this legislation, we demonstrate we are adapting and will adapt. But 
reform is an ongoing process.

  I have a few more remarks to say on the intelligence bill, but let me 
turn to the assistant Democratic leader for comments about the schedule 
over the course of today, and then I will make a few more remarks.

                          ____________________