Steve Pearce: “I do not doubt that my colleagues who believe differently feel as sincerely as I do about the possible courses of action…”

“I do not doubt that my colleagues who believe differently feel as sincerely as I do about the possible courses of action that they suggest. But, Mr. Speaker, we do come to different conclusions. We heard just a moment ago from one of our friends on the other side of the aisle who wanted to choose a smarter way to fight terrorism, to choose a good way, a way that is right, and suggesting that stronger intelligence is going to be the key to that. Mr. Speaker, I would point out that in the very period of time when we were needing more intelligence, the previous administration chose to bring in all of the operatives out of our intelligence systems and only use electronic means. And it so blindfolded us, it blindfolded us to the heart and the passion of the people in these cells. I have heard estimates that it could take as long as 20 years, Mr. Speaker, to return us to the level of information-gathering that we were prior to withdrawing all of our agents out of the field under the previous administration.”