Washington, DC – Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) took part in a signing ceremony this morning, during which President Bush signed into law the Collins-Lieberman Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act. Senators Collins and Lieberman co-authored this legislation, which represents the most sweeping overhaul of the nation’s intelligence community in more than 50 years and implements the major recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The Senate last week approved the Collins-Lieberman bill by a vote of 89 to 2. The House of Representatives approved the legislation by a vote of 336 to 75.
“We are so proud that the President signed into law today the Collins-Lieberman Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act. It took a lot of hard work to get to this day and to deliver real and comprehensive reform legislation to the American people,” said Senators Collins and Lieberman in a joint statement. “We are pleased that we were able to work together with the President and our colleagues to enact the monumental reform that our intelligence community needs to deal with global terrorism. This law will help to make our country safer and will improve the intelligence provided to our troops.” “We also recognize that our legislation is the platform for the work that lies ahead. We must ensure that our intelligence agencies have the leadership, agility, and resources necessary for this new structure to succeed,” the Senators stated. “We will continue to work through the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to ensure the successful implementation of this landmark law.” The signing ceremony took place today at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC. Former Commissioners of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, known as the 9/11 Commission, and family members of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks also attended the event.