Ms. McCollum: Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in support of H.R. 2701, a bill to authorize appropriations for intelligence-related activities in fiscal year 2010. This bill strengthens the safety and security of every American family with targeted investments in our intelligence capabilities.

By containing not a single earmark, H.R. 2701 authorizes only essential spending to support our troops overseas and improve America's national security. I support this bill because it will prepare America for the threats of tomorrow, with strategic investments in our cybersecurity infrastructure here at home, and human intelligence gathering in emerging areas of concern such as Yemen and the Horn of Africa.

Most importantly, this bill will keep America safe without sacrificing American values. It prohibits private contractors from participating in CIA interrogations, requires the video recording of interrogations, and expands Congressional oversight of all intelligence activities to prevent the abuses of the past decade.