Angie Craig: “I certainly conclude that that ought to be a priority--a national energy policy--and that we ought to be able to shape…”

“I certainly conclude that that ought to be a priority--a national energy policy--and that we ought to be able to shape one in reasonable fashion in a couple of weeks. The House has already moved legislation. They have passed a national energy policy. Well over a month and a half ago, we began to mark up an energy policy bill for the Senate. I hope our leaders, Senator Daschle and Senator Lott, will ask the Energy Committee to come together and stay together for the next couple of weeks to produce a bill to be debated on the Senate floor. Our President deserves a national energy policy as part of our overall national security strategy at this moment on his desk, acceptable and ready to sign. I also believe we need to take a hard look at our intelligence community to make sure the shortcomings in predicting the events of the first Trade Center bombing, and the embassy bombing, and attack on the U.S.S. Cole and, of course, last week's attack do not recur. We must do better. We cannot accept past performance. I agree with the assessments of my colleagues that a major reinvestment in our human intelligence capabilities is needed and it must take place through a reorganizational effort. We have the world's best when it comes to technological advancement. We can look down on any part of the world with such detail that from miles high we can read the watch on the arm of someone on the ground. But we cannot read what is in that person's mind.”