Mr. Speaker,  Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce legislation requiring the establishment of a Quadrennial National Security Review.  I am joined by my friend and colleague on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Thornberry, who has been a strong advocate for enhanced interagency cooperation and improved strategic planning on national security issues.  His input and support on this bill have been invaluable.  I am also honored that this measure has the support of House Armed Services Committee Chairman Skelton, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Lantos and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Thompson, as well as of numerous other members with strong national security credentials. 

The United States establishes its national security goals in the National Security Strategy, which is required by law to be submitted annually to Congress in conjunction with the Administration’s budget proposal.  However, only two versions have been published in the last six years, and those documents provide little insight about how we can harness all assets of national power to achieve our national security goals.  Many experts in the field of national security, including members of the 9/11 Commission, have emphasized the importance of using all of our nation’s capabilities and levers of influence to advance our national security goals.   Dr. Joseph Nye, the former dean of the Kennedy School of Government and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, has written extensively about the need to supplement our military might with “soft power” – efforts to win the world’s hearts and minds with our values and culture.  Successfully exercising this type of power requires that we pursue many fronts, including international diplomacy, democracy-building, cultural exchanges, economic development, educational initiatives and communication about our values and ideals. 

Even though our nation has many assets and capabilities that can advance our national security goals, we have done a poor job at integrating them all into one comprehensive strategy.  From my experience on the Intelligence, Homeland Security and Armed Services Committees, I am deeply concerned about the tendency of agencies with national security responsibilities to focus exclusively on their own programs and initiatives, while losing sight of the larger strategic goals to which their programs are contributing, an unfortunate phenomenon that leads to “stovepiping,” when information and intelligence are not shared among departments and agencies.  We must ensure that all components of our federal government are working together toward the same purpose and that they are able to coordinate their efforts to the greatest extent possible. 

For example, since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we recognize that it is in our national security interests to combat global terrorism.  While the use of our military is a vital component to achieving that goal, we must pursue other efforts simultaneously.  By targeting financing schemes that are used to support terrorism, we can cut off funding for terrorist activities.  By pursuing a foreign policy that promotes voices of moderation, we can isolate extremists and present a better vision of the future.  By using diplomatic engagement to promote democratic institutions, we can encourage responsible self-governance and greater stability.  By targeting international development funds to support economic development partnerships, we can help other nations become prosperous and self-sufficient.  By spearheading an international effort to offer educational alternatives to children, we can provide the next generation with the tools to build a better future.  The expertise needed to undertake these efforts lies among various components of the U.S. government, as well as within the private sector and non-governmental organizations.  It is in our nation’s interests to ensure that we are coordinating all of those efforts to reach our goals.

In its “Beyond Goldwater-Nichols” study, the Center for Strategic and International Studies recommended the establishment of a Quadrennial National Security Review to create an interagency process that would identify national security goals, assess existing needs and capabilities, establish priorities for funding, and recommend specific policy and budget proposals.  From that recommendation, I have worked with other experts, Members of Congress and committee staff to draft the legislation I am introducing today.  This bill would create a Quadrennial National Security Review process to coordinate all assets of national power to identify and achieve our national security objectives.  Under the measure, every four years, the President would conduct a review of the security goals of the United States in consultation with all relevant national security-related departments and agencies, as well as Congress.  The process would include a thorough investigation of the America’s national security interests and objectives, the strategy for implementing security goals, risk assessment, identification of all assets of national power needed to meet security goals, an explanation of how agencies and departments will coordinate their efforts, and an assessment of what additional resources are needed.  The effort would culminate in a comprehensive National Security Strategy document, policy recommendations and a unified security budget proposal that reflects national security priorities. Finally, after publication of the QNSR, an outside panel of national security experts would conduct an independent review and perform their own analysis, reporting their findings to Congress and the Administration within two years.  I am hopeful that the establishment of a QNSR and an independent review process will lead to greater coordination and cooperation and facilitate strategic budget and resource decision-making. 

In closing, I would like to thank the many Members, staff and national security experts who have provided feedback and guidance in the crafting of this bill.  It is not an easy task to move our entire national security decision-making structure forward from the status quo, but I know many people in this body recognize the importance of doing so.  I am optimistic that we are moving in the right direction, and I urge my colleagues to join me in this vital effort.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.