Wicker Says Intelligence Reform Needs More Work

WICKER SAYS INTELLIGENCE REFORM NEEDS MORE WORK
One major issue left unresolved in the closing days of the Congressional session was the effort to overhaul the nation's intelligence-gathering capabilities and provide greater homeland security protections. Although this critically important measure needs to be addressed quickly, it is essential that the final legislation be done right, providing a complete approach to the threat of terrorism.

With all due respect to the President and Senate leaders who urged immediate passage of a compromise bill last week, there were good reasons why House Republicans prevented that version from coming to the floor.

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE CONCERNS
One aspect of the bill could have put members of our armed forces at risk. The current proposal weakens the critical relationship between our intelligence defense agencies and our men and women in uniform on the battlefield.

While I will support the creation of a National Intelligence Director, this official should concentrate on coordinating the use of resources across the intelligence community, leaving day-to-day war fighting operations with the Defense Department. We must preserve the military's chain of command regarding its combat support agencies - protections that were included in the original legislation President Bush proposed.

IMMIGRATION REFORMS VITAL
House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin has advocated forcefully in support of several immigration-related provisions that were nixed from the final package. As a 26-year House veteran and an authority on immigration law, he correctly points out that good intelligence information is of no use if authorities do not have the power to act on it.

Among the provisions deleted were:

• Safeguards to prevent illegal aliens from getting driver's licenses. The 19 hijackers from the 9-11 attacks secured 63 valid driver's licenses which allowed them to move freely through identification checkpoints.

• Tough new rules to prevent terrorists from abusing the laws regarding political asylum. Bogus political asylum stories and other abuses have allowed potential terrorists to remain in the country illegally.

• A plan to streamline the immigration review process aimed at reducing delays that give aliens the opportunity to stay in the U.S. and potentially plot terrorist attacks.

• Strong regulations allowing the government to deport aliens who provide support to terrorists. The House bill would deny terrorists this important source of money and materials.

• Creation of uniform procedures for background checks of workers at critical sites such as power plants and telecommunications facilities.

• Additional enforcement tools to prevent destructive weapons from falling into terrorist hands. The House version would impose stiff penalties for possession of missiles, atomic weapons, and biological agents.

• Death penalty provisions for a number of terrorist attacks.
House and Senate negotiators and leaders in both chambers continue to place a high priority on passing a strong intelligence reform bill. Unfortunately, the latest version presented to us falls short of that goal. It is important that we take this opportunity to do it right and enact a comprehensive bill that will strengthen national security and homeland protection.