[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 200 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONFIRMATION OF JOSEPH MAGUIRE

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I wholeheartedly support the nomination of 
VADM Joseph Maguire to be the Director of the National Counterterrorism 
Center, NCTC. Had I been able to cast my vote today, it would have been 
to support this exceptional-nominee.
  The Director of the NCTC is one of the most important positions in 
the intelligence community, especially at this critical juncture in our 
Nation's history. Admiral Maguire has a long and impressive record of 
achievement and of service to his country, and I applaud his 
willingness to once again return to public service after completing a 
Navy career that spanned 36 years, including as the commander of Naval 
Special Warfare Command.
  The National Counterterrorism Center is the U.S. intelligence 
community's premier organization for tracking and countering the 
continuing threat from terrorism. Our country still has men and women 
on the frontlines in the fight against extremist groups, and they must 
get it right each hour of every day to ensure the safety and security 
of their fellow Americans.
  As Admiral Maguire and I have discussed, our counterterrorism 
capabilities are greatly strengthened by our relationships with the 
allies and partners with whom we have fought shoulder-to-shoulder since 
September 11, 2001, in this struggle. This is why it is important for 
the United States to hold onto and strengthen our traditional alliances 
such as NATO-- and not to heedlessly undermine them.
  I am satisfied by the ironclad commitments Admiral Maguire gave to 
the Senate Intelligence Committee during his confirmation hearing to 
ensuring that the men and women serving under him will always be 
empowered to assess and analyze intelligence free from political 
interference. He has also committed to present these assessments to 
those in leadership positions free of any political considerations. In 
short, he has committed to ``speak truth to power,'' and I expect him 
to live up to these commitments.
  This is especially important at a time when we have sometimes seen 
those in power unjustifiably belittle and denigrate our Intelligence 
Community and law enforcement agencies.
  I trust that Admiral Maguire and those he leads at the NCTC will 
continue to selflessly work day and night--whether on the 24/7 watch 
floor or on the front lines, to protect the United States and our 
allies from the terrorist threat. I salute him for stepping up to this 
challenging task.

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