This past week the House approved H.R. 754, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 with near unanimous support. This bill provides and allocates critical resources for the intelligence community that help keep Fifth District Virginians and all Americans safe.
Congress has not passed a complete Intelligence Authorization Bill in six years, and the House’s actions on H.R. 754 were a good first step towards reasserting Congress’ proper role of exercising oversight of the intelligence community. Given the vital task members of the intelligence community have in protecting our nation, I believe that the Senate and White House should pass this bill without delay.
We have several intelligence agencies across the Fifth District, including those located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and I issued the following statement this week recognizing their important work and contributions to our country:
I rise in support of H.R. 754, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011.
Our intelligence community plays a critical role in keeping us safe from those who seek to do us harm, and I believe we need to ensure that they have the necessary tools to do their job to the fullest.
It was the hard work and dedication of the members of the intelligence community that helped lead us to securing a great victory in the war on terror – the death of Osama bin Laden. We will be forever grateful to them – and all of those in the intelligence field – for their service to this country, including those in Virginia’s 5th District.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the work of the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, and the National Ground Intelligence Center located in Charlottesville, Virginia and those members of the intelligence community across the 5th District who are working every day to help ensure the safety of all Americans.
A top priority of government is to protect its citizens from threats at home and abroad. While I believe that we need to prioritize all spending in the context of a balanced budget, we need to make sure that those in the intelligence field are equipped to carry out their duties to help protect and defend our nation, especially when we are engaged in a global war on terror and thousands of American troops continue to serve bravely in harm’s way around the world.
If you need any additional information on these or any other issues, please visit my website at www.hurt.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-4711, Charlottesville office: (434) 973-9631, Danville office: (434) 791-2596, or Farmville office: (434) 395-0120.
Robert Hurt is a United States Congressman.
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