[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 5, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013

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                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5743) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for 
     intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the 
     United States Government, the Community Management Account, 
     and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability 
     System, and for other purposes:

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I was unable to speak during last 
week's floor debate on the FY13 Intelligence bill--the following is the 
statement I would have made before the amendment was adopted by voice 
vote:
  First, let me thank my esteemed colleague Congressman John Conyers 
for giving me the opportunity to speak on this important amendment.
  I would also like to recognize Congressman Keith Ellison who has been 
an outstanding leader on issues affecting the Middle East.
  Mr. Chair, first let me say unequivocally that we can all agree that 
we must work to prevent an Iran armed with nuclear weapons--which would 
never be acceptable.
  That is not what this amendment is about, this amendment is 
noncontroversial.
  This amendment is really just about common sense.
  It would simply require that the National Intelligence Director give 
Congress a report outlining their assessment of the consequences of 
launching a military strike against Iran.
  This amendment is necessary because, once again, we have saber 
rattling voices who are beating the war drum.
  If we have learned anything from the past ten years, it is that we 
have to be deliberate, be thoughtful, be careful, and know exactly what 
we are getting ourselves into before we launch another war in the 
Middle East.
  These decisions should not be taken lightly, and they must be based 
on sound reasoning, and the best information, and the best 
intelligence.
  We have a duty to our brave men and women in uniform who have 
sacrificed so much during the past decade of war to have an informed 
debate about the consequences of military action.
  I urge you to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

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