Nancy Pelosi: “just briefly, this amendment, which I am offering with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss), has a simple purpose: to…”

“just briefly, this amendment, which I am offering with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss), has a simple purpose: to harmonize the intelligence authorization bill and the emergency supplemental appropriations conference report passed yesterday on an issue relating to Colombia. That issue is the use to which funds designated for counterdrug activities for Colombia in fiscal year 2003 and made available but not expended in previous fiscal years can be put. When this matter was considered by the Select Committee on Intelligence, it was clear that we intended to mirror actions taken by the Committee on Appropriations in the emergency supplemental. Section 501 of the bill, which is nearly identical to the provision in the emergency supplemental as reported by the Committee on Appropriations, reflects that intention. In conference, the Colombia provisions in the emergency supplemental were modified. These modifications condition the use of counternarcotics money for counterterrorism purposes in Colombia on certain certifications being made by the Secretaries of State and Defense and limit participation of U.S. personnel in combat operations in Colombia to instances of self-defense or the rescue of U.S. citizens. The task which remains is to bring the intelligence bill in line with the emergency supplemental on this matter. This amendment acknowledges that purpose. I am pleased to have the chairman's support for it, and I urge its adoption by the House.”