Washington, DC – Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) today thanked Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) for his intent to submit recommendations regarding the reorganization of the nation’s intelligence community. Senators Collins and Lieberman had asked Senator Roberts for input as the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee crafts legislation to restructure the federal government’s 15 intelligence agencies. Senators Collins and Lieberman announced today that the Committee will consider the legislation, which the Governmental Affairs Committee is drafting, during the week of September 20th.
Senators Collins and Lieberman have also sought input from the Senate Intelligence Committee’s Ranking Member, Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV), and the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Appropriations, Armed Services, Budget, Commerce, Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Banking, Energy, and Finance Committees.
“The Intelligence Committee has spent significant time examining the nation’s intelligence community. We look forward to receiving and reviewing Senator Roberts’ recommendations for improving the current system,” said Senators Collins and Lieberman in a joint statement. “We thank Senator Roberts for his response to our request for input on these issues and value the recommendations as we draft legislation to reorganize our country’s intelligence agencies, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the intelligence system to make our country safer.”
“We also welcome the opinions and proposals of others who have expertise in this area, as we proceed with this important undertaking,” the Senators said.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) gave the Governmental Affairs Committee the responsibility of examining the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and submitting reform legislation to the full Senate by October 1st. The Committee is focusing on recommendations for restructuring the executive branch, in particular, the creation of a National Counterterrorism Center and a National Intelligence Director position.
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