[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2005

  Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, the Intelligence Authorization Bill 
provides resources vital to the continuing effort to improve our 
nation's intelligence capabilities and to transform the intelligence 
community to ensure that we do everything possible to prevent another 
event like September 11, 2001. As such, I support this legislation.
  In particular, I am gratified that this bill provides resources above 
the President's request to increase our human intelligence 
capabilities. This is an issue that has concerned me for many years and 
one that I have worked to correct. The House-passed FY 2006 Defense 
Appropriations bill includes substantial, new HUMINT resources, which I 
will make every effort to protect as we go into conference with the 
Senate later this year.
  Additionally, the authorization bill includes provisions to 
strengthen Ambassador Negroponte's hand as he undertakes the tremendous 
responsibility of defining the role of the Office of the Director of 
National Intelligence and transforming the intelligence community. I am 
hopeful that the authorizers and the appropriators can work together to 
support the DNI in this critical first year.
  Certainly, there are areas of the bill, particularly some of the 
technical programs, where I am a little disappointed in the resource 
levels recommended by the Intelligence Committee. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues on the committee to find a mutually 
acceptable approach to meet the nation's space platform requirements. 
However, overall, I believe that this is a good bill that goes a long 
way to meeting the needs of the intelligence community.

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