Bill Pascrell: “Mr. Chairman, yesterday the Senate overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan bill that would make needed changes to our…”

“Mr. Chairman, yesterday the Senate overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan bill that would make needed changes to our Nation's intelligence community. Ninety-six Senators voted for it and the 9/11 Commission supported it. Whether you read the executive commission report, the executive summary or the full report, it is quite specific what they recommend. Everyone recommends it, except the leadership of the House of Representatives. Once again, the important work of this body has morphed into a political exercise, and it is an additional tragedy that this comes as no surprise to any of us. The leadership had their chance to proceed on this critical endeavor in a judicious, fair and thoughtful manner. H.R. 10 fails to give the National Intelligence Director sufficient authority over the budget and personnel of the intelligence agencies. H.R. 10 fails to fully address transportation modes, such as inner-city rail and public transit. H.R. 10 fails to provide additional security assistance to Afghanistan or economic development assistance to Arab and Muslim countries. Yet somehow 50 extraneous provisions, none of which were recommended by the 9/11 Commission, have been added. So today I will support the Menendez substitute. This substitute is based on the bipartisan Senate bill to fully implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations.”