2001 Ron Paul 81:1
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, HR 2883, the Intelligence
Authorization Act, is brought before us
today under a process which denies members
of Congress our constitutional right as elected
officials to be informed on crucial aspects of
the programs we are asked to authorize. Information
about this bill is limited to dollars
amounts and personnel ceilings for the individual
intelligence programs and even that information
is restricted to viewing in a classified
annex available to members during regular
business hours for “security reasons.”
2001 Ron Paul 81:2
Given the many questions the American
people have about the performance of the intelligence
agencies prior to September 11, and
the many concerns as to whether the intelligence
agencies can effectively respond to
the challenges of international terrorism, I believe
that the American people would be well
served by a full debate on the ways the intelligence
community plans to respond to these
challenges. I also believe the American people
would be well-served if members of Congress
could debate the prudence of activities authorized
under this bill, such as using taxpayer
monies for drug interdiction, is an efficient use
of intelligence resources or if those resources
could be better used to counter other, more
significant threats. Perhaps the money targeted
for drug interdiction and whether it
should be directed to anti-terrorism efforts.
However, Mr. Speaker, such a debate cannot
occur when members are denied crucial facts
regarding the programs authorized in this bill
or, at a minimum, are not free to debate in an
open forum. Therefore, Congress is denied a
crucial opportunity to consider how we might
improve America’s intelligence programs.
2001 Ron Paul 81:3
We are told that information about this bill
must be limited to a select few for “security
reasons.” However, there are other ways to
handle legitimate security concerns than by
limiting the information to those members who
happen to sit on the Intelligence Committee. If
any member were to reveal information that
may compromise the security of the United
States, I certainly would support efforts to punish
that member for violating his office and the
trust of his country. I believe that if Congress
and the Executive Branch exercised sufficient
political will to make it known that any member
who dared reveal damaging information would
suffer full punishment of the law, there would
not be a serious risk of a member leaking
classified information.
2001 Ron Paul 81:4
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, it is inexcusable
for members to be denied crucial facts regarding
the intelligence program authorized by this
bill, especially at a time when the nation’s attention
is focused on security issues. Therefore,
I hope my colleagues will reject HR 2883
and all other intelligence authorization or funding
bills until every member of Congress is allowed
to fully perform their constitutional role
of overseeing these agencies and participating
in the debate on this vital aspect of America’s
national security policy.
