Washington, DC – Senate Governmental Affairs Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) today released the following statement, after the announcement that President Bush signed a number of executive orders for reforming the nation’s intelligence:
“We have not seen the text of the executive orders yet, but look forward to reviewing the details. From what we understand of them, we are pleased that the President has taken what seem to be important steps forward. However, executive orders are only steps and ultimately will not be able to substitute for the legislation we hope to move in a bipartisan fashion through our committee in September,” added Senators Collins and Lieberman. Senate leaders charged Senators Collins and Lieberman with the responsibility of examining the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to create a new National Intelligence Director and a National Counterterrorism Center and to produce legislation by October 1st. Senators Collins and Lieberman have also been named, by Senate leadership, to the Senate working group that will address the Commission’s recommendations for reorganizing the Senate’s oversight of the intelligence and homeland security communities.