Nancy Pelosi: “I support this legislation. Next Monday is the six-month anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York City…”

“I support this legislation. Next Monday is the six-month anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York City, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon. With the war against the al Qaeda network, and terrorism generally, well underway, it is important that the process of determining why the September 11 attacks were not prevented receive appropriate attention in Congress. The performance of the intelligence agencies is an essential part of the September 11 story, and it is the responsibility of the House and Senate intelligence committees to thoroughly assess that performance. It is the judgment of the committees that a joint inquiry is the best way to get at the facts and recommend changes as supported by the facts. The committees intend that the inquiry will ascertain why the agencies did not learn of the attacks in advance and identify what, if anything, might be done to better position the agencies to warn of, or prevent, future terrorist actions against the United States. The joint inquiry will be a considerable challenge and will require additional resources, primarily for staff. The measure now under consideration provides these resources, and I urge its adoption so that we may proceed as quickly as possible on this important task.”