“The first responsibility of the federal government is to protect its citizens,” Franks said.  “I believe the 9/11 Commission Implementation Act moves America toward increased security and greater protection from this asymmetric enemy called terrorism.”

The major provisions of the bill are:

·        Creating a National Intelligence Director separate from the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.  Running all the aspects of national intelligence and advising the President on intelligence is a full time job, just as running the C.I.A. is a full time job. 

·        Creating a National Counterterrorism Center within the office of the National Intelligence Director to integrate all federal government activities related to counterterrorism.   The Director will be the person in charge of assessing the inputs of the various elements of the U.S. intelligence apparatus in order to prevent terrorist attacks.

·        Providing the National Intelligence Director with the authority and responsibility to develop common information technology standards and to ensure maximum access to intelligence across the intelligence community.

This bill also enhances border security and interdicts terrorist travel by doubling the current number of border patrol officers and tripling the number immigration enforcement agents. 

“I truly believe the President and this Congress are committed to improving the coordination of activities between agencies, and H.R. 10 will serve as a transition from policy established during the Cold War to policies that will be more effective in fighting the war on terrorism.”