[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 13, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S14300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 375--AMENDING SENATE RESOLUTION 400, 94TH CONGRESS, 
  AND SENATE RESOLUTION 445, 108TH CONGRESS, TO IMPROVE CONGRESSIONAL 
   OVERSIGHT OF THE INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED STATES, TO 
PROVIDE A STRONG, STABLE, AND CAPABLE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE STRUCTURE 
 TO PROVIDE THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY APPROPRIATE OVERSIGHT, SUPPORT, 
 AND LEADERSHIP, AND TO IMPLEMENT A KEY RECOMMENDATION OF THE NATIONAL 
         COMMISSION ON TERRORIST ATTACKS UPON THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. BURR (for himself, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Sununu, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Feingold, 
Mr. McCain, and Mr. Hagel) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration:

                              S. Res. 375

       Whereas the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon 
     the United States (referred to in this Resolution as the ``9/
     11 Commission'') conducted a lengthy review of the facts and 
     circumstances relating to the terrorist attacks of September 
     11, 2001, including those relating to the intelligence 
     community, law enforcement agencies, and the role of 
     congressional oversight and resource allocation;
       Whereas in its final report, the 9/11 Commission found that 
     congressional oversight of the intelligence activities of the 
     United States is dysfunctional;
       Whereas in its final report, the 9/11 Commission further 
     found that under the rules of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives in effect at the time the report was 
     completed, the committees of Congress charged with oversight 
     of the intelligence activities lacked the power, influence, 
     and sustained capability to meet the daunting challenges 
     faced by the intelligence community of the United States;
       Whereas in its final report, the 9/11 Commission further 
     found that as long as such oversight is governed by such 
     rules of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the 
     people of the United States will not get the security they 
     want and need;
       Whereas in its final report, the 9/11 Commission further 
     found that a strong, stable, and capable congressional 
     committee structure is needed to give the intelligence 
     community of the United States appropriate oversight, 
     support, and leadership;
       Whereas in its final report, the 9/11 Commission further 
     found that the reforms recommended by the 9/11 Commission in 
     its final report will not succeed if congressional oversight 
     of the intelligence community in the United States is not 
     changed;
       Whereas the 9/11 Commission recommended structural changes 
     to Congress to improve the oversight of intelligence 
     activities;
       Whereas the 9/11 Commission recommended that the 
     authorizing authorities and appropriating authorities with 
     respect to intelligence activities in each house of Congress 
     be combined into a single committee in each house of 
     Congress;
       Whereas Congress has enacted some of the recommendations 
     made by the 9/11 Commission and is considering implementing 
     additional recommendations of the 9/11 Commission; and
       Whereas the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 445 in the 
     108th Congress to address some of the intelligence oversight 
     recommendations of the 9/11 Commission by abolishing term 
     limits for the members of the Select Committee on 
     Intelligence, clarifying jurisdiction for intelligence-
     related nominations, and streamlining procedures for the 
     referral of intelligence-related legislation, but other 
     aspects of the 9/11 Commission recommendations regarding 
     intelligence oversight have not been implemented: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this resolution are--
       (1) to improve congressional oversight of the intelligence 
     activities of the United States;
       (2) to provide a strong, stable, and capable congressional 
     committee structure to provide the intelligence community 
     appropriate oversight, support, and leadership;
       (3) to implement a key recommendation of the National 
     Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the 
     ``9/11 Commission'') that structural changes be made to 
     Congress to improve the oversight of intelligence activities; 
     and
       (4) to provide vigilant legislative oversight over the 
     intelligence activities of the United States to assure that 
     such activities are in conformity with the Constitution and 
     laws of the United States.

     SEC. 2. INTELLIGENCE OVERSIGHT.

       (a) Authority of the Select Committee on Intelligence.--
     Paragraph (5) of section 3(a) of Senate Resolution 400, 94th 
     Congress, agreed to May 19, 1976, is amended in that matter 
     preceding subparagraph (A) by striking the comma following 
     ``authorizations for appropriations'' and inserting ``and 
     appropriations,''.
       (b) Abolishment of the Subcommittee on Intelligence.--
     Senate Resolution 445, 108th Congress, agreed to October 9, 
     2004, is amended by striking section 402.

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