H.Res. 173House109th Congress (2005-2007)In Committee

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Director of National Intelligence should establish and oversee the implementation of a uniform, multi-level security clearance system across the intelligence community to fully leverage the cultural and linguistic skills of subject matter experts and others proficient in foreign languages critical to national security.

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select).

Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee

March 17, 2005

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 17, 2005

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select).

Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee

March 17, 2005

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.Res. 173 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Silvestre ReyesD-TX-16 · Jun 24, 2005

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2475. I commend the leadership of the Chairman and Ranking Member, and thank them for supporting the amendment I offered at mark-up to align the authorization…

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2475.

I commend the leadership of the Chairman and Ranking Member, and thank them for supporting the amendment I offered at mark-up to align the authorization for an important technical program with the level set by the Armed Services Committee.

H.R. 2475 also underscores the importance the Committee places on providing full-funding of intelligence requirements related to the global war on terrorism. For years, Intelligence Committee Democrats have fought hard for this. If fact, some of us voted against the intelligence bill last year because it contained less than one-third of the funding needed for counterterrorism. This year, I'm pleased the Committee has finally brought a bill before the House that provides full intelligence funding for our dedicated men and women on the front lines.

This bill also includes House Resolution 173, a measure which encourages the DNI to establish a uniform, multi-tiered security clearance system. Such a system is needed to ensure all intelligence agencies fully-leverage the cultural knowledge and foreign language skills of people who may not be able to be cleared, in a timely manner, to the highest levels. It will also help increase the workforce diversity and skills-mix, both of which are critical to the future success and viability of the Intelligence Community.

The report accompanying H.R. 2475 also highlights the work of the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC). Although EPIC is funded through DEA in other legislation instead of this bill because of its drug-related intelligence mission, its work is critically important to the U.S. national security overall. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure EPIC's activities are funded at an appropriate and consistent level.

In addition to highlighting the strengths of this bill, I must also note my serious concerns about the general oversight of systematic failures related to the handling and interrogation of detainees. While it is critical that we collect actionable intelligence from detainees to prevent future threats, it is imperative that we do so in a way that respects U.S. law, and international conventions and treaties.

Although there were some issues some of us would have resolved differently, H.R. 2475 is, on balance, a sound bill.

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 17, 2005

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 173

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 17, 2005

Ms. Harman (for herself, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Reyes, Mr. Boswell, Mr. Cramer, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Holt, Mr. Ruppersberger, and Mr. Tierney) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select)

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Director of National Intelligence should establish and oversee the implementation of a uniform, multi-level security clearance system across the intelligence community to fully leverage the cultural and linguistic skills of subject matter experts and others proficient in foreign languages critical to national security.

Whereas the security clearance process of the Federal Government often results in undue delay in hiring intelligence community personnel with needed skills and expertise;

Whereas many individuals possessing cultural knowledge and linguistic skills critical to the national security of the United States do not need to be cleared at the highest clearance level;

Whereas the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 will create a more effective and efficient uniform security clearance process across the Federal Government;

Whereas the President should ensure the prompt implementation of the security clearance enhancement provisions contained in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004; and

Whereas the prompt implementation of a uniform, multi-level security clearance system across the intelligence community would greatly enhance the ability of the intelligence community to carry out its mission: Now, therefore, be it

That the Director of National Intelligence should promptly establish and oversee the implementation of a uniform, multi-level security clearance system across the intelligence community to fully leverage the cultural and linguistic skills of subject matter experts and individuals proficient in foreign languages critical to national security.