[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 89 (Tuesday, July 11, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORING INTELLIGENCE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS TO TRACK TERRORISTS 
                         AND TERRORIST FINANCES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2006

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposions to House Resolution 
895 and in support of a better alternative, H. Res. 900 introduced by 
Congressman Frank.
  H. Res. 895 intends to express the sense of Congress that we are in 
support of intelligence and law enforcement programs used to track 
terrorists and terrorist finances when these programs are consistent 
with Federal law and with appropriate Congressional consultation. H. 
Res. 895 also specifically condemns the disclosure and publication of 
classified information that impairs the international fight against 
terrorism and needlessly exposes Americans to the threat of further 
terror attacks. Although I agree with these basic tenants, H. Res. 895 
includes several statements that cannot be factually confirmed as of 
yet by the vast majority of Members of Congress.
  No Congressional Committee has formally looked into the terrorist 
finance tracking program. The Financial Services Committee will not 
hold its first oversight hearing on this topic until July 11, 2006. 
Although H. Res. 895 includes a clause stating that Congress has been 
fully informed on the terrorist finance tracking program, we cannot ask 
Members of Congress to affirm specific statements about the legality 
and constitutionality of a program that have yet to be independently 
confirmed. I simply cannot state something to be a fact that I do not 
know to be a fact. To do so would be a disservice to the people of 
North Carolina's Second District I have sworn to serve.
  In contrast, H. Res. 900 expresses the same sense of Congress in 
support of lawful programs used to track terrorists and terrorist 
finances, as well as the condemnation of the disclosure of classified 
information, while remaining free of any of these unverified statements 
of fact. H. Res, 900 is a balanced, thoughtful and appropriate 
statement of Congressional support for vigorous prosecution of the war 
against the terrorists.

                          ____________________