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The security of America is the number one priority of both the President and Congress. Although, many changes have been made since 9/11 to keep our country safe, including the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the implementation of the Patriot Act, there is still more to be done. Based on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, the President and Congress have outlined a bold vision for comprehensive reform of our intelligence operations and many other security items. The 9/11 Commission Implementation Act (H.R. 10) was carefully crafted to capture the good ideas suggested by the 9/11 Commission, yet preserve those things that work well. H.R. 10 covers five main areas: intelligence reform and integration; terrorism prevention and prosecution; border security and terrorist travel; international cooperation and coordination; and government restructuring.
Intelligence Reform and Integration
H.R. 10 will create a National Intelligence Director (NID) who serves as the head of the United States Intelligence Community. This individual will act as the principal advisor to the President, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council for foreign and domestic intelligence matters relating to the national security. The National Intelligence Director will ensure that appropriate agencies and departments have access to and receive all-source intelligence support needed to carry out their own missions as well as to perform independent, competitive analysis.
Terrorism Prevention and Prosecution
Title two of the legislation addresses the prevention and prosecution of terrorists. It authorizes federal officials to target and track “lone wolf” terrorists that act individually and free from any terrorist organization. It also makes it a crime for an individual to intentionally pull a terrorist hoax or fake the death of a U.S. soldier. Such acts siphon off valuable resources, manpower and equipment away from those trying to respond to real threats. This section of the bill clarifies current law, stipulating that those who provide material support to terrorists or terrorist organizations will be prosecuted and imprisoned. It also strengthens current law making it harder for terrorists to secure financing.
Border Security/Terrorist Travel
The 9/11 Commission Implementation Act will double the current number of border patrol officers and triple the number of immigration enforcement agents. It increases regulations in order to make it more difficult for terrorists to create false identification. It will standardize entry requirements for individuals coming into the U.S., asking anyone coming from a country other than Mexico and Canada to provide a secure document. The legislation makes travel very difficult for terrorists by expanding pre-inspection programs at foreign airports, increasing penalties for doctoring existing passports or forging new ones and enhancing fingerprinting capabilities. It also makes it easy for consular officers and immigration inspectors to access the cumulative travel history of individuals, preventing terrorists from entering the U.S.
International Cooperation and Coordination
H.R. 10 states that the U.S. needs to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to address current and potential terrorist sanctuaries. It encourages the President to use all diplomatic means with coalition partners to agree on an effective approach regarding the detention and treatment of captured terrorists. The legislation aims at improving international cooperation and information sharing by creating an international terrorist financing coordinating council. The counsel will consolidate various resources to track the financial lifeblood of terrorist organizations.
Government Restructuring
Another important aspect of this legislation is to make key changes within the government to help our first responders and intelligence personnel. H.R. 10 frees the funding pipeline to give local first responders the resources they need. It also makes it easier for first responders (firefighters, policemen and EMTs) to help those in need across state lines without fear of being sued. The legislation enables the FBI to develop a specialized workforce with deep expertise in intelligence and national security. It provides retention bonuses, retirement age waivers and higher pay for special skills for those who keep us safe at home. By streamlining current security clearance procedures, this legislation enables the incoming President to have the best information and intelligence available immediately.
The President has pointed out that, when it comes to terrorists' attacks, we have to be right 100% of the time and a terrorist only has to be right once. This reality places a high demand and a great responsibility on our intelligence community. I believe this legislation will help the members of our intelligence community do their jobs more efficiently and effectively. It will also help our country work with other nations to capture terrorist and those who harbor terrorists. I look forward to passing this legislation and sending it to the President. Our national security depends on it. |
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