Joe Lieberman: “I thank him for the specific question and assure the Senator on my behalf, one, that Senator Collins and our committee…”

“I thank him for the specific question and assure the Senator on my behalf, one, that Senator Collins and our committee were focused throughout the deliberations on making sure this substantial reorganization of our intelligence assets not in any way diminish the availability of intelligence to the warfighter. In fact, in the best of all situations, we believe the recommendations that we have made will improve intelligence to the warfighter. By way of reassurance, I want to quote from GEN Michael Hayden, Director of the National Security Agency, who said in testimony before the other body: An empowered national intelligence director who would direct authority over the national agencies should not be viewed as diminishing our ability or willingness to fulfill our responsibilities as combat support agencies. He was speaking on behalf of the three. It was quite illuminating, in talking to General Hayden and others. They are in direct daily contact, particularly with the combatant commanders.”