[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20427]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 445--TO ELIMINATE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON SERVICE OF 
        A SENATOR ON THE SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE

  Mr. LOTT submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Rules and Administration:

                              S. Res. 445

       Resolved, That section 2 of Senate Resolution 400, 94th 
     Congress, agreed to May 19, 1976, is amended by striking 
     subsection (b) and by redesignating subsection (c) as 
     subsection (b).
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, since September 11, there has been an on-
going debate about the quality of our Nation's intelligence 
capabilities. In recent months, this debate has intensified as 
questions have arisen about pre-war intelligence concerning Iraq's 
program for developing weapons of mass destruction. In this period, 
when the United States is engaged in a global war against terrorism, it 
is imperative that our intelligence resources are used to the utmost of 
their capability.
  The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is charged with the 
responsibility of overseeing our Nation's intelligence capabilities. As 
a member of that committee, I can attest to the quality of the work 
performed by members and staff who serve on the committee. But there is 
a huge learning curve to fully comprehend how our Nation's intelligence 
capabilities are being deployed. There are very complex technological 
issues associated with international intelligence and Senators often do 
not have the time to develop expertise in understanding all of these 
systems. And that makes it difficult for all committee members to 
engage in effective oversight.
  I believe the current structure of the Intelligence Committee 
handicaps the committee's ability to perform truly meaningful 
oversight. Unlike any other committee in the Senate, there are severe 
restrictions placed on how long a member can serve on the Intelligence 
Committee. A Senator can only serve on the committee for eight 
continuous years. And one-third of the members of the committee are 
required to cycle off the committee every 2 years.
  I think the Senate can no longer afford the luxury of cycling members 
on and off the committee. We need an Intelligence Committee whose 
members have years of experience in understanding the entire spectrum 
of global intelligence just as we have a Finance Committee whose 
members have spent years learning the nuances and intricacies of the 
tax laws and Medicare. For that reason, I am today submitting a 
resolution eliminating both the 8-year term limit and the mandate to 
replace one-third of the committee every 2 years. I would note that the 
9/11 Commission recommended that term limits on the committee be 
eliminated.

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