Barbara Mikulski: “I support the proposed reform to strengthen our oversight of the intelligence community. We just passed sweeping…”

“I support the proposed reform to strengthen our oversight of the intelligence community. We just passed sweeping, historic legislation to reform America's entire intelligence community. It was a very good bill that will greatly strengthen our ability to develop good intelligence and fight terrorism. The National Intelligence Reform Act fulfills what I consider the priorities for intelligence reform, including many reforms I have been fighting for: A strong National Intelligence Director to lead and manage the intelligence community. A National Counter Terrorism Center so we have unity of effort to combat terrorism. Information sharing so analysts can connect the dots. An Inspector General for the entire intelligence community. Strong alternative analysis or red-teaming. An ombudsman so our intelligence professionals can speak truth to power. And protection for civil liberties and privacy. But reform of our intelligence community is only half the job. We must also reform our oversight of the intelligence community. As the 9/11 Commissioners said, reforming intelligence without reforming oversight is like one hand clapping. The 9/11 Commission report says that, "Of all our recommendations, strengthening congressional oversight may be among the most difficult and important." Our leaders gave this "most difficult and important" task to two of our most esteemed colleagues: Senator Reid and Senator McConnell. I thank them for their leadership.”