[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19846]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION REFORM ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the ``Federal Bureau 
of Investigation Reform Act of 2003,'' legislation that strengthens the 
accountability, enhances the security and improves the management of 
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). I am joined by 
Representatives Berman, Jackson-Lee, Delahunt, Blumenauer, Waxman, 
Farr, and Carson of Indiana.
  The report released today by the joint congressional committee 
investigating the September 11th attacks was quite disturbing. It 
provided ample evidence of key clues and signals that astute FBI agents 
should have picked up on. Line after line of the report reveals 
incidences of missed opportunities. Beginning with the FBI's neglect of 
the now infamous ``phoenix'' memo and ending with the mishandling of 
potentially valuable informants, the FBI engaged in a pattern and 
practice of activities that did very little, if anything, to protect 
this nation from the devastating attacks it experienced on 9-11.
  To address some of the obvious miscues and intelligence failures 
highlighted in the report, we are introducing the FBI Reform Act of 
2003. There are five key elements of our bill. First, it strengthens 
whistleblower protection for FBI employees and protects them from 
retaliation for reporting wrongdoing. Second, it addresses the issue of 
a double standard for discipline of senior executives by eliminating 
the disparity in authorized punishments between Senior Executive 
Service members and other Federal employees. Third, it establishes an 
FBI Counterintelligence Polygraph Program for screening personnel in 
exceptionally sensitive positions with specific safeguards. Fourth, it 
establishes an FBI Career Security Program, which would bring the FBI 
into line with other U.S. intelligence agencies that have strong career 
security professional cadres whose skills and leadership are dedicated 
to the protection of agency information, personnel, and facilities. 
Finally, it requires a set of reports that would enable Congress to 
engage the Executive branch in a constructive dialogue building a more 
effective FBI for the future.
  The FBI Reform Act is designed to strengthen the FBI as an 
institution that has a unique role as both a law enforcement agency and 
a member of the intelligence community. As the Judiciary Committee 
continues its oversight work and more is learned about recent FBI 
performance, additional reforms may prove necessary. Especially 
important will be the lessons learned from the attacks of September 
11th, the anthrax attacks, and implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act. I 
am hopeful that Congress can move quickly to enact this worthwhile and 
timely legislation.

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