Thompson and Harman Applaud Administration on Info Sharing Strategy
October 31, 2007 – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), Chair of the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information, and Terrorism Risk Assessment, hailed the Administration’s new National Strategy for Information Sharing. The Strategy adopts key information sharing priorities outlined in H.R.1, the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.
Chairman Thompson issued the following statement regarding the issue:
“I am very pleased that the White House has finally seen the wisdom of the Democratic approach to information sharing by incorporating into its new strategy not only key portions of the 9/11 Act but also my and Ms. Harman’s emphasis on making State, local, and tribal partners the starting point for the nation’s information sharing efforts,” said Thompson.
“By emphasizing the critical importance of the National Counterterrorism Center and the DHS-led Interagency Threat Assessment and Coordination Group as instruments of more and better information sharing, the President’s strategy correctly illustrates the need to place State, local, and tribal information requirements front and center when it comes to providing the intelligence information that patrol officers, emergency response workers, and homeland security advisers need to protect our hometowns from terrorism. I am equally heartened by the White House’s adoption of the Democratic approach to privacy and civil liberties: this strategy marks the first time I can remember the White House recognizing the need not only to zealously protect the homeland but also to zealously protect the Constitutional rights of the people. As Ms. Harman and I have said for a long time, you can’t have true security without a robust commitment to privacy and civil liberties. The White House’s new direction is better late than never. I expect the Administration to aggressively implement this encouraging new strategy, and we on the Committee will be watching its progress very closely.”
Congresswoman Harman released the following:
“This is a good product – and I see Fran Townsend’s capable hand. It includes many things that some Members of Congress – including Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson and me – have been saying for years. To prevent the next attack, the federal government must share intelligence that is timely, accurate, and actionable with state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. They know their communities best, and we cannot succeed unless we treat them as equals.”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978.
