[Congressional Record: November 13, 2007 (Senate)]
[Page S14300]



                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 375--AMENDING SENATE RESOLUTION 400, 94TH CONGRESS,
  AND SENATE RESOLUTION 445, 108TH CONGRESS, TO IMPROVE CONGRESSIONAL
   OVERSIGHT OF THE INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED STATES, TO
PROVIDE A STRONG, STABLE, AND CAPABLE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
 TO PROVIDE THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY APPROPRIATE OVERSIGHT, SUPPORT,
 AND LEADERSHIP, AND TO IMPLEMENT A KEY RECOMMENDATION OF THE NATIONAL
         COMMISSION ON TERRORIST ATTACKS UPON THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. BURR (for himself, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Sununu, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Feingold,
Mr. McCain, and Mr. Hagel) submitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration:

                              S. Res. 375

       Whereas the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon
     the United States (referred to in this Resolution as the ``9/
     11 Commission'') conducted a lengthy review of the facts and
     circumstances relating to the terrorist attacks of September
     11, 2001, including those relating to the intelligence
     community, law enforcement agencies, and the role of
     congressional oversight and resource allocation;
       Whereas in its final report, the 9/11 Commission found that
     congressional oversight of the intelligence activities of the
     United States is dysfunctional;
       Whereas in its final report, the 9/11 Commission further
     found that under the rules of the Senate and the House of
     Representatives in effect at the time the report was
     completed, the committees of Congress charged with oversight
     of the intelligence activities lacked the power, influence,
     and sustained capability to meet the daunting challenges
     faced by the intelligence community of the United States;
       Whereas in its final report, the 9/11 Commission further
     found that as long as such oversight is governed by such
     rules of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the
     people of the United States will not get the security they
     want and need;
       Whereas in its final report, the 9/11 Commission further
     found that a strong, stable, and capable congressional
     committee structure is needed to give the intelligence
     community of the United States appropriate oversight,
     support, and leadership;
       Whereas in its final report, the 9/11 Commission further
     found that the reforms recommended by the 9/11 Commission in
     its final report will not succeed if congressional oversight
     of the intelligence community in the United States is not
     changed;
       Whereas the 9/11 Commission recommended structural changes
     to Congress to improve the oversight of intelligence
     activities;
       Whereas the 9/11 Commission recommended that the
     authorizing authorities and appropriating authorities with
     respect to intelligence activities in each house of Congress
     be combined into a single committee in each house of
     Congress;
       Whereas Congress has enacted some of the recommendations
     made by the 9/11 Commission and is considering implementing
     additional recommendations of the 9/11 Commission; and
       Whereas the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 445 in the
     108th Congress to address some of the intelligence oversight
     recommendations of the 9/11 Commission by abolishing term
     limits for the members of the Select Committee on
     Intelligence, clarifying jurisdiction for intelligence-
     related nominations, and streamlining procedures for the
     referral of intelligence-related legislation, but other
     aspects of the 9/11 Commission recommendations regarding
     intelligence oversight have not been implemented: Now,
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this resolution are--
       (1) to improve congressional oversight of the intelligence
     activities of the United States;
       (2) to provide a strong, stable, and capable congressional
     committee structure to provide the intelligence community
     appropriate oversight, support, and leadership;
       (3) to implement a key recommendation of the National
     Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the
     ``9/11 Commission'') that structural changes be made to
     Congress to improve the oversight of intelligence activities;
     and
       (4) to provide vigilant legislative oversight over the
     intelligence activities of the United States to assure that
     such activities are in conformity with the Constitution and
     laws of the United States.

     SEC. 2. INTELLIGENCE OVERSIGHT.

       (a) Authority of the Select Committee on Intelligence.--
     Paragraph (5) of section 3(a) of Senate Resolution 400, 94th
     Congress, agreed to May 19, 1976, is amended in that matter
     preceding subparagraph (A) by striking the comma following
     ``authorizations for appropriations'' and inserting ``and
     appropriations,''.
       (b) Abolishment of the Subcommittee on Intelligence.--
     Senate Resolution 445, 108th Congress, agreed to October 9,
     2004, is amended by striking section 402.

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