Mike Levin: “I rise to support S. 858, the fiscal year 1998 intelligence authorization bill. The legislation comes to the floor…”

“I rise to support S. 858, the fiscal year 1998 intelligence authorization bill. The legislation comes to the floor having been reported out of the Select Committee on Intelligence earlier this month and approved, on referral, by the Armed Services Committee. As a member of both committees, I believe S. 858 is a responsible, bipartisan bill which reflects our mutual oversight concerns and policy priorities. While there may be some areas in which the two committees disagree, I want to praise Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Shelby and Vice Chairman Bob Kerrey for their efforts in seeking a consensus with the Armed Services Committee on the funding and legislative provisions contained in the bill. Most notably, S. 858 reflects our shared concern that intelligence community activities must reflect the new, post-cold-war era threats and challenges to U.S. security. Additionally, there is strong agreement between the two committees and the administration that continued emphasis must be given to improving the collection and distribution of timely intelligence to the warfighter in the cockpit, in the tank, aboard ship, and in the command post. One of the overriding lessons learned from the Persian Gulf war was that high quality tactical intelligence, if provided to the warfighter in a prompt fashion can save American lives and carry the day on the field of battle.”