[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6473-6474]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         STATEMENT ON H.R. 5020

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I opposed the Renzi amendment because, 
while we all oppose leaks in our intelligence community, we have 
learned more about the illegal wiretapping program, the use of torture 
and extraordinary rendition, and the situation in Iraq from leaks to 
media outlets than we have from the administration. While we should do 
our best to prevent intelligence leaks, we must also ensure that we 
aren't being complicit in the cover-up of illegal activities or the 
manipulation of intelligence.

[[Page 6474]]

  I also voted against final passage of the Intelligence Authorization 
bill because, while it is a fine bill, it represents a missed 
opportunity. Democrats have tried to address the series of intelligence 
scandals, yet were prevented from doing so by continued abuses of the 
legislative process by the Republican majority.

                          ____________________