[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1352-E1353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2005

  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2475.
  I commend the leadership of the Chairman and Ranking Member, and 
thank them for supporting the amendment I offered at mark-up to align 
the authorization for an important technical program with the level set 
by the Armed Services Committee.
  H.R. 2475 also underscores the importance the Committee places on 
providing full-funding of intelligence requirements related to the 
global war on terrorism. For years, Intelligence Committee Democrats 
have fought hard for this. If fact, some of us voted against the 
intelligence bill last year because it contained less than one-third of 
the funding needed for counterterrorism. This year, I'm pleased the 
Committee has finally brought a bill before the House that provides 
full intelligence funding for our dedicated men and women on the front 
lines.
  This bill also includes House Resolution 173, a measure which 
encourages the DNI to establish a uniform, multi-tiered security 
clearance system. Such a system is needed to ensure all intelligence 
agencies fully-leverage the cultural knowledge and foreign language 
skills of people who may not be able to be cleared, in a timely manner, 
to the highest levels. It will also help increase the workforce 
diversity and skills-mix, both of which are critical to the future 
success and viability of the Intelligence Community.

[[Page E1353]]

  The report accompanying H.R. 2475 also highlights the work of the El 
Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC). Although EPIC is funded through DEA in 
other legislation instead of this bill because of its drug-related 
intelligence mission, its work is critically important to the U.S. 
national security overall. I look forward to working with my colleagues 
to ensure EPIC's activities are funded at an appropriate and consistent 
level.
  In addition to highlighting the strengths of this bill, I must also 
note my serious concerns about the general oversight of systematic 
failures related to the handling and interrogation of detainees. While 
it is critical that we collect actionable intelligence from detainees 
to prevent future threats, it is imperative that we do so in a way that 
respects U.S. law, and international conventions and treaties.
  Although there were some issues some of us would have resolved 
differently, H.R. 2475 is, on balance, a sound bill.

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