Washington, D.C. - Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act-National Security Intelligence Improvement Act of 2004. The bill implements recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and establishes a National Intelligence Director.
Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO), a member of the House Armed Services Committee who supported H.R.10, today praised President Bush's continuing commitment to defend America's citizens and their vital interests at home and abroad.
"The President has already enacted most of the 9/11 committee's recommendations and today the House of Representatives has taken a step toward finishing that work," said Akin. "The Constitution makes clear that national defense is the top priority of the federal government, and today's action continues the ongoing efforts of this Administration and this Congress to fulfill that charge."
Akin stated that it is essential for Congress to monitor the coordination of the various intelligence agencies and that he will work hard to do so as he serves on the House Armed Services' Subcommittee on Terrorism and Unconventional Threats.
"It is essential that the new National Intelligence Director and his staff not just reshuffle the various organizational charts, but that they actively coordinate the work of all the diverse agencies, bureaus and departments," Akin said. "Without this kind of coordination, the new intelligence directorate will be just one more Washington fiefdom. I am confident that the President will do all in his power to ensure that the NID integrates all the intelligence apparatus effectively."
