Porter Goss

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, today a Dear Colleague letter will be sent to all Members informing them that the Committee on Rules will meet this week to grant a rule that may limit the amendment process for H.R. 5005, the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The Select Committee on Homeland Security is expected to file its report early Wednesday morning. Any Member who wishes to offer an amendment to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 should submit 55 copies of the amendment and one copy of a brief explanation of the amendment by 12 noon on Wednesday, July 24, to the Committee on Rules in room H-312 in the Capitol. Members should draft their amendments to the text of the bill as reported by the Select Committee on Homeland Security, which will be made available later today on the majority leader's Web site as well as the Committee on Rules website. Members should use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure their amendments are properly drafted, and should check with the Office of the Parliamentarian to be certain their amendments comply with the rules of the House.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, today a Dear Colleague will be sent to all Members informing them that the Committee on Rules will meet this week to grant a rule for H.R. 4628, the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 2003, which may require that amendments be printed in the Congressional Record prior to their consideration on the floor. The Intelligence Authorization Act is tentatively scheduled for floor debate on Wednesday, July 24. In order for an amendment to be in order on the floor, it would need to be submitted to the Congressional Record by the end of legislative business on Tuesday, July 23. Amendments should be drafted to the text of the bill as reported by the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which was filed on Thursday, July 18. Members should use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are properly drafted and should check with the Office of the Parliamentarian to be certain their amendments comply with the rules of the House.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence may have until midnight tonight, July, 18, 2002, to file a report on the bill, H.R. 4628, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2003 for intelligence and intelligence- related activities of the United States Government, community management account, the Central Intelligence Agency retirement and disability system, and for other purposes. It is my expectation, Mr. Speaker, that the committee will file H.R. 4628 a little later today. Once the committee has filed the bill, I invite and encourage Members to come to H-405 in the Capitol to review the classified annex and allow committee staff to explain the provisions or answer any questions they may have about the bill. This opportunity is offered to any Member of the House. It does not include staff. Members will be asked to sign the customary nondisclosure agreement prior to access to any classified annex. That is the routine. It has worked well over the years. Members may call Mr. Bill McFarland of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the committee staff director of security, if they would like to review this material.

Mr. GOSS. I yield to the gentlewoman from California.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I believe the answer to that question is until we take up the rule, and that will probably be later next week. So it should be a couple of days next week.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 458, the legislation just passed.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Chambliss), and I ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control the time that is allowed to us on behalf of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished chairman of the subcommittee for yielding. I wanted to take just a second to briefly thank publicly the chairman of the subcommittee and the ranking member, the vice chairman of the committee, for doing extraordinary work on behalf of our Nation on the subject of terrorism and homeland security. This really was the first body in Congress that dealt with this subject after the tragedies of 9-11. They have done an amazing job of gathering material, having the right kind of hearings, talking to the right type of people. We have a report that I guess is going through classification review or something at this point to make sure we can get as much as possible available to the public as we can do, but this has been hard work. It has been well managed, and it shows Congress doing something positive when there is a critical need for the people of the United States. So I want to return very much the compliment of the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Chambliss), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman), and thank them very much for the fine work. They do the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence proud.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 458 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia, or from Florida (Mr. Hastings), my colleague and friend, pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time is for purposes of debate only. Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us is an open rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 4598, the Homeland Security Information Sharing Act. This is a fair rule that will allow thoughtful discussion on a topic that has become crucial to our national security. I do not think there is anything controversial in any way about any of the elements of the rule, which were so well read by the Clerk, and I do not think there is any point in repeating all of that. Mr. Speaker, this is a good open rule on an important subject. Dealing with information sharing is critical to our ability to prevent bad things from happening in homeland America. That is the challenge that is before us today. I have to congratulate the chairman and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security of my Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Chambliss) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman), for their work on this timely piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, this bill starts us down a road that we must travel to make sure all our forces are cooperatively engaged for national security. H.R. 4598 would promote the sharing of critical homeland security threat information between Federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies with State and local officials in place to protect and defend the American public. Can Members imagine how much safer our country can be if local first responders like police officers and sheriffs have Federal information at their fingertips that enables them to pinpoint and thwart evildoers before tragedies occur? Mr. Speaker, this bill may not provide a crystal ball that forewarns us of every and all bad things looming in the future, but it gives us a tool for transmitting known facts and information about terrorist activity to capable, authorized people who are in position to act on the front lines across America. The tragic events of September 11 have caused us to reevaluate how we go about protecting our Nation and our people. We are dealing with a visionary new homeland security structure, we are dealing with necessary reform at the FBI, we are dealing with 9-11 reviews, we are dealing with reform of the intelligence community, and some inevitable changes in our intelligence community capabilities and management. So we have a great many things on our plate. But, in the meantime, there is no reason why we should not, and every reason why we should, support a good rule and a good piece of legislation that will help us get some interim activity that will heighten safety for every man, woman, and child in the country. That is something that we all want. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am from the west coast of Florida. We will get this right. Florida is south of Georgia. The gentleman from the east coast of Florida just made an eloquent speech for which I am most grateful, and I appreciate the kind remarks. I will return them from the west coast of Florida to the east coast of Florida. It was always a privilege to have the gentleman on our Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. We look forward to his return. We enjoy working with him on the Committee on Rules, in the meantime. It is a different kind of work than the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the remarks of my colleague, the gentleman from the east coast of Florida (Mr. Hastings). Actually, we do note there is an east and west, we are one State together, and proud to know each other. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I had to depart early for a previously scheduled meeting at the White House. As a result, I was not able to be present for rollcall votes 223 and 224. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 223 and ``nay'' on rollcall vote 224. I request that this statement appear at the appropriate place in the Record.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the initial scope and the supplemental rules for the Joint Inquiry being conducted by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence be published in the Congressional Record. Both the Joint Inquiry's initial scope and its supplemental procedural rules were adopted by the full membership of HPSCI and SSCI. Preamble To reduce the risk of future terrorist attacks; to honor the memories of the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks by conducting a thorough search for facts to answer the many questions that their families and many Americans have raised; and to lay a basis for assessing the accountability of institutions and officials of government: the senate select committee on intelligence and house permanent select committee on intelligence adopt this initial scope of joint inquiry Pursuant to section 5(a)(1) of Senate Resolution 400, 94th Congress, Rule 6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Rule XI(1)(b) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and Rule 9 of the Rules of Procedure of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the two Committees have authorized an investigation, to be conducted as a Joint Inquiry, into the Intelligence Community's activities before and after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. The Committees have undertaken this Joint Inquiry pursuant to their responsibility to oversee and make continuing studies of the intelligence activities and programs of the United States Government and all other authority vested in the Committees. The purpose of this Joint Inquiry is-- (a) to conduct an investigation into, and study of, all matters that may have any tendency to reveal the full facts about-- (1) the evolution of the international terrorist threat to the United States, the response of the United States Government including that of the Intelligence Community to international terrorism, from the creation of the Director of Central Intelligence's Counterterrorist Center in 1986 to the present, and what the Intelligence Community had, has, or should have learned from all sources of information, including any terrorist attacks or attempted ones, about the international terrorist threat to the United States; (2) what the Intelligence Community knew prior to September 11 about the scope and nature of any possible attacks against the United States or United States interests by international terrorists, including by any of the hijackers or their associates, and what was done with that information; (3) what the Intelligence Community has learned since the events of September 11 about the persons associated with those events, and whether any of that information suggests actions that could or should have been taken to learn of, or prevent, those events; (4) whether any information developed before or after September 11 indicates systemic problems that may have impeded the Intelligence Community from learning of or preventing the attacks in advance, or that, if remedied, could help the Community identify and prevent such attacks in the future; (5) how and to what degree the elements of the Intelligence Community have interacted with each other, as well as other parts of federal, state, and local governments with respect to identifying, tracking, assessing, and coping with international terrorist threats; as well as biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear threats, whatever their source (such as the Anthrax attack of 2001). (6) the ways in which the Intelligence Community's responses to past intelligence problems and challenges, whether or not related to international terrorism, have affected its counterterrorism efforts; and (7) any other information that would enable the Joint Inquiry, and the Committees in the performance of their continuing responsibilities, to make such recommendations, including recommendations for new or amended legislation and any administrative or structural changes, or other actions, as they determine to be necessary or desirable to improve the ability of the Intelligence Community to learn of, and prevent, future international terrorist attacks; and (b) to fulfill the Constitutional oversight and informing functions of the Congress with regard to the matters examined in the Joint Inquiry. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Supplemental Joint Inquiry Rules In connection with the Joint Inquiry with the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence into the events of September 11, 2001, authorized by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (``HPSCI'') pursuant to Rule XI(1)(b) of the Rules of the House of Representatives and Rule 9 of HPSCI's Rules of Procedure, and pursuant to Rule XI(2)(a) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, HPSCI adopts the following Joint Inquiry Rules to supplement HPSCI's Rules for purposes of the Joint Inquiry only: joint inquiry rule 1. joint proceedings 1.1. HPSCI may conduct hearings jointly with the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. All joint hearings shall be considered hearings of both Committees. 1.2. The Rules of Procedure of HPSCI and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence shall apply in all hearings and other proceedings of this Joint Inquiry, except where superseded by these Joint Inquiry Rules, provided that, at any joint hearing, if any rules of the two Committees are inconsistent, the rules of that Committee whose Chairman or his designee is presiding shall apply. 1.3. For the purposes of the proceedings of this Joint Inquiry, all employees on the staff of either Committee working on the Joint Inquiry shall be considered to be acting on behalf of both Committees. joint inquiry rule 2. hearings 2.1. All testimony at hearings shall be taken under oath or affirmation. joint inquiry rule 3. depositions 3.1. All testimony taken, and all documents, records, or other materials produced, at a deposition of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence shall be considered part of the record of both Committees.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)(2) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, I hereby submit the rules of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for the 107th Congress for publication in the Congressional Record. Rules of Procedure for the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence 1. Subcommittees (a) Generally. (1) Creation of subcommittees shall be by majority vote of the Committee. (2) Subcommittees shall deal with such legislation and oversight of programs and policies as the Committee may direct. (3) Subcommittees shall be governed by these rules. For purposes of these rules, any reference herein to the ``Committee'' shall be interpreted to include subcommittees and the working group, unless otherwise specifically provided. (b) Establishment of Subcommittees. The Committee establishes the following subcommittees: (1) Subcommittee on Human intelligence, Analysis, and Counterintelligence; (2) Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence; (3) Subcommittee on Intelligence Policy and National Security; and, (4) Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security. For purposes of these rules, any reference herein to the ``Committee'' shall be interpreted to include subcommittees, unless otherwise specifically provided. (d) Subcommittee Membership. (1) Generally. Each Member of the Committee may be assigned to at least one of the four subcommittees. (2) Ex Officio Membership. In the event that the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full Committee do not choose to sit as regular voting members of one or more of the subcommittees, each is authorized to sit as an ex officio Member of the subcommittees and participate in the work of the subcommittees. When sitting ex officio, however, they-- (A) shall not have a vote in the subcommittees; and (B) shall not be counted for purposes of determining a quorum. 2. Meeting Day (a) Regular Meeting Day for the Full Committee. (1) Generally. The regular meeting day of the Committee for the transaction of Committee business shall be the first Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise directed by the Chairman. (2) Notice Required. Such regular business meetings shall not occur, unless Members are provided reasonable notice under these rules. (b) Regular Meeting Day for Subcommittees. There is no regular meeting day for subcommittees. 3. Notice of Meetings (a) Generally. In the case of any meeting of the Committee, the Chief Clerk of the Committee shall provide reasonable notice to every Member of the Committee. Such notice shall provide the time and place of the meeting. (b) Definition. For purposes of this rule, ``reasonable notice'' means: (1) written notification; (2) delivered by facsimile transmission or regular mail, which is (A) delivered no less than 24 hours prior to the event for which notice is being given, if the event is to be held in Washington, DC; or (B) delivered no less than 48 hours prior to the event for which notice is being given, if the event is to be held outside Washington, DC. (C) Exception. In extraordinary circumstances only, the Chairman may, after consulting with the Ranking Minority Member, call a meeting of the Committee without providing notice, as defined in subparagraph (b), to Members of the Committee. 4. Preparations for Committee Meetings (a) Generally. Designated Committee Staff, as directed by the Chairman, shall brief Members of the Committee at a time sufficiently prior to any Committee meeting in order to: (1) assist Committee Members in preparation for such meeting; and (2) determine which matters Members wish considered during any meeting. (b) Briefing Materials. (1) Such a briefing shall, at the request of a Member, include a list of all pertinent papers, and such other materials, that have been obtained by the Committee that bear on matters to be considered at the meeting; and (2) The staff director shall also recommend to the Chairman any testimony, papers, or other materials to be presented to the Committee at any meeting of the Committee. 5. Open Meetings (a) Generally. Pursuant to Rule XI of the House, but subject to the limitations of subsection (b), Committee meetings held for the transaction of business, and Committee hearings, shall be open to the public. (b) Exceptions. Any meeting or portion thereof, for the transaction of business, including the markup of legislation, or any hearing or portion thereof, shall be closed to the public, if: (1) the Committee determines by record vote, in open session with a majority of the Committee present, that disclosure of the matters to be discussed may: (A) endanger national security; (B) compromise sensitive law enforcement information; (C) tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person; or (D) otherwise violate any law or Rule of the House. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a vote to close a Committee hearing, pursuant to this subsection and House Rule XI shall be taken in open session-- (A) with a majority of the Committee being present; or (B) pursuant to House Rule X, clause 11(d)(2), regardless of whether a majority is present, so long as at least two Members of the Committee are present, one of whom is a member of the Minority, and votes upon the motion. (c) Briefings. All Committee briefings shall be closed to the public. 6. Quorum (a) Hearings. For purposes of taking testimony, or receiving evidence, a quorum shall consist of two Committee Members. (b) Other Committee Proceedings. For purposes of the transaction of all other Committee business, other than the consideration of a motion to close a hearing as described in rule 5(b)(2)(B), a quorum shall consist of a majority of Members. 7. Reporting Record Votes Whenever the Committee reports any measure or matter by record vote, the report of the Committee upon such measure or matter shall include a tabulation of the votes cast in favor of, and the votes cast in opposition to, such measure or matter. 8. Procedures for Taking Testimony or Receiving Evidence (a) Notice. Adequate notice shall be given to all witnesses appearing before the Committee. (b) Oath or Affirmation. The Chairman may require testimony of witnesses to be given under oath or affirmation. (c) Administration of Oath or Affirmation. Upon the determination that a witness shall testify under oath or affirmation, any Member of the Committee designated by the Chairman may administer the oath or affirmation. (d) Interrogation of Witnesses. (1) Generally. Interrogation of witnesses before the Committee shall be conducted by Members of the Committee. (2) Exceptions. (A) The Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may determine that Committee Staff will be authorized to question witnesses at a hearing in accordance with clause (2)(j) of House Rule XI. (B) The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member are each authorized to designate Committee Staff to conduct such questioning. (e) Counsel for the Witness. (1) Generally. Witnesses before the Committee may be accompanied by counsel, subject to the requirements of paragraph (2). (2) Counsel Clearances Required. In the event that a meeting of the Committee has been closed because the subject to be discussed deals with classified information, counsel accompanying a witness before the Committee must possess the requisite security clearance and provide proof of such clearance to the Committee at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at which the counsel intends to be present. (3) Failure to Obtain Counsel. Any witness who is unable to obtain counsel should notify the Committee. If such notification occurs at least 24 hours prior to the witness' appearance before the Committee, the Committee shall then endeavor to obtain voluntary counsel for the witness. Failure to obtain counsel, however, will not excuse the witness from appearing and testifying. (4) Conduct of Counsel for Witnesses. Counsel for witnesses appearing before the Committee shall conduct themselves ethically and professionally at all times in their dealings with the Committee. (A) A majority of Members of the Committee may, should circumstances warrant, find that counsel for a witness before the Committee failed to conduct himself or herself in an ethical or professional manner. (B) Upon such finding, counsel may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. (5) Temporary Removal of Counsel. The Chairman may remove counsel during any proceeding before the Committee for failure to act in an ethical and professional manner. (6) Committee Reversal. A majority of the Members of the Committee may vote to overturn the decision of the Chairman to remove counsel for a witness. (7) Role of Counsel for Witness. (A) Counsel for a witness: (i) shall not be allowed to examine witnesses before the Committee, either directly or through cross-examination; but (ii) may submit questions in writing to the Committee that counsel wishes propounded to a witness; or (iii) may suggest, in writing to the Committee the presentation of other evidence or the calling of other witnesses. (B) The Committee may make such use of any such questions, or suggestions, as the Committee deems appropriate. (f) Statements by Witnesses. (1) Generally. A witness may make a statement, which shall be brief and relevant, at the beginning and at the conclusion of the witness' testimony. (2) Length. Each such statements shall not exceed five minutes in length, unless otherwise determined by the Chairman. (3) Submission to the Committee. Any witness desiring to submit a written statement for the record of the proceedings shall submit a copy of the statement to the Chief Clerk of the Committee. (A) Such statements shall ordinarily be submitted no less than 48 hours in advance of the witness' appearance before the Committee. (B) In the event that the hearing was called with less than 24 hours notice, written statements should be submitted as soon as practicable prior to the hearing. (g) Objections and Ruling. (1) Generally. Any objection raised by a witness, or counsel for the witness, shall be ruled upon by the Chairman, and such ruling shall be the ruling of the Committee. (2) Committee Action. A ruling by the Chairman may be overturned upon a majority vote of the Committee. (h) Transcripts. (1) Transcript Required. A transcript shall be made of the testimony of each witness appearing before the Committee during any hearing of the Committee. (2) Opportunity to Inspect. Any witness testifying before the Committee shall be given a reasonable opportunity to inspect the transcript of the hearing, and may be accompanied by counsel to determine whether such testimony was correctly transcribed. Such counsel: (A) shall have the appropriate clearance necessary to review any classified aspect of the transcript; and (B) should, to the extent possible, be the same counsel that was present for such classified testimony. (3) Corrections. (A) Pursuant to Rule XI of the House Rules, any corrections the witness desires to make in a transcript shall be limited to technical, grammatical, and typographical. (B) Corrections may not be made to change the substance of the testimony. (C) Such corrections shall be submitted in writing to the Committee within 7 days after the transcript is made available to the witness. (D) Any questions arising with respect to such corrections shall be decided by the Chairman. (4) Copy for the Witness. At the request of the witness, any portion of the witness' testimony given in executive session shall be made available to that witness if that testimony is subsequently quoted or intended to be made part of a public record. Such testimony shall be made available to the witness at the witness' expense. (i) Requests to Testify. (1) Generally. The Committee will consider requests to testify on any matter or measure pending before the Committee. (2) Recommendations for Additional Evidence. Any person who believes that testimony, other evidence, or commentary, presented at a public hearing may tend to affect adversely that person's reputation may submit to the Committee, in writing: (A) a request to appear personally before the Committee; (B) a sworn statement of facts relevant to the testimony, evidence, or commentary; or (C) proposed questions for the cross-examination of other witnesses. (3) Committee's Discretion. The Committee may take those actions it deems appropriate with respect to such requests. (j) Contempt Procedures. Citations for contempt of Congress shall be forwarded to the House, only if: (1) reasonable notice is provided to all Members of the Committee of a meeting to be held to consider any such contempt recommendations; (2) the Committee has met and considered the contempt allegations; (3) the subject to the allegations was afforded an opportunity to state, either in writing or in person, why he or she should not be held in contempt; and (4) the Committee agreed by majority vote to forward the citation recommendations to the House. (k) Release of Name of Witness. (1) Generally. At the request of a witness scheduled to be heard by the Committee, the name of that witness shall not be released publicly prior to, or after, the witness' appearance before the Committee. (2) Exceptions. Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Chairman may authorize the release to the public of the name of any witness scheduled to appear before the Committee. 9. Investigations (a) Commencing Investigations. (1) Generally. The Committee shall conduct investigations only if approved by the full Committee. An investigation may be initiated either: (A) by a vote of the full Committee; (B) at the direction of the Chairman of the full Committee, with notice to the Ranking Minority Member; or (C) by written request of at least five Members of the full Committee, which is submitted to the Chairman. (2) Full Committee Ratification Required. Any investigation initiated by the Chairman pursuant to paragraphs (B) and (C) must be brought to the attention of the full Committee for approval, at the next regular meeting of the full Committee. (b) Conducting Investigations. An authorized investigation may be conducted by Members of the Committee or Committee Staff members designated by the Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, to undertake any such investigation. 10. Subpoenas (a) Generally. All subpoenas shall be authorized by the Chairman of the full Committee, upon consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, or by vote of the Committee. (b) Subpoena Contents. Any subpoena authorized by the Chairman of the full Committee, or the Committee, may compel: (1) the attendance of witnesses and testimony before the Committee; or (2) the production of memoranda, documents, records, or any other tangible item. (c) Signing of Subpoenas. A subpoena authorized by the Chairman of the full Committee, or the Committee, may be signed by the Chairman, or by any Member of the Committee designated to do so by the Committee. (d) Subpoena Service. A subpoena authorized by the Chairman of the full Committee, or the Committee, may be served by any person designated to do so by the Chairman. (e) Other Requirements. Each subpoena shall have attached thereto a copy of these rules. 11. Committee Staff (a) Definition. For the purpose of these rules, ``Committee Staff'' or ``staff of the Committee'' means: (1) employees of the Committee; (2) consultants to the Committee; (3) employees of other Government agencies detailed to the Committee; or (4) any other person engaged by contract, or otherwise, to perform services for, or at the request of, the Committee. (b) Appointment of Committee Staff. (1) Chairman's Authority. The appointment of Committee Staff shall be by the Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member. The Chairman shall certify Committee Staff appointments to the Clerk of the House in writing. (2) Security Clearance Required. All offers of employment for prospective Committee Staff positions shall be contingent upon: (A) the results of a background investigation; and (B) a determination by the Chairman that requirements for the appropriate security clearances have been met. (c) Responsibilities of Committee Staff. (1) Generally. The Committee Staff works for the Committee as a whole, under the supervision and direction of the Chairman of the Committee. (2) Authority of the Staff Director. (A) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the duties of Committee Staff shall be performed under the direct supervision and control of the staff director. (B) Committee Staff personnel affairs and day-to-day Committee Staff administrative matters, including the security and control of classified documents and material, shall be administered under the direct supervision and control of the staff director. (3) Staff Assistance to Minority Membership. The Committee Staff shall assist the Minority as fully as the Majority of the Committee in all matters of Committee business, and in the preparation and filing of supplemental, minority, or additional views, to the end that all points of view may be fully considered by the Committee and the House. 12. Limit on Discussion of Classified Work of the Committee (a) Prohibition. (1) Generally. Except as otherwise provided by these rules and the Rules of the House of Representatives, Members and Committee Staff shall not at any time, either during that person's tenure as a Member of the Committee or as Committee Staff, or anytime thereafter, discuss or disclose: (A) the classified substance of the work of the Committee; (B) any information received by the Committee in executive session; (C) any classified information received by the Committee from any source; or (D) the substance of any hearing that was closed to the public pursuant to these rules or the Rules of the House. (2) Non-Disclosure in Proceedings. (A) Members of the Committee and the Committee Staff shall not discuss either the substance or procedure of the work of the Committee with any person not a Member of the Committee or the Committee Staff in connection with any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, either during the person's tenure as a Member of the Committee, or of the Committee Staff, or at any time thereafter, except as directed by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the House and these rules. (B) In the event of the termination of the Committee, Members and Committee Staff shall be governed in these matters in a manner determined by the House concerning discussions of the classified work of the Committee. (3) Exceptions. (A) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(1), Members of the Committee and the Committee Staff may discuss and disclose those matters described in subsection (a)(1) with-- (i) Members and staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence designated by the chairman of that committee; (ii) the chairmen and ranking minority members of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations and staff of those committees designated by the chairmen of those committees; and (iii) the chairman and ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on Defense of the House Committee on Appropriations and staff of that subcommittee as designated by the chairman of that subcommittee. (B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(1), Members of the Committee and the Committee Staff may discuss and disclose only that budget-related information necessary to facilitate the enactment of the annual defense authorization bill with the chairmen and ranking minority members of the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services and the staff of those committees designated by the chairmen of those committees. (C) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(1), Members of the Committee and the Committee staff may discuss with and disclose to the chairman and ranking minority member of a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee with jurisdiction over an agency or program within the National Foreign Intelligence Program (NFIP), and staff of that subcommittee as designated by the chairman of that subcommittee, only that budget-related information necessary to facilitate the enactment of an appropriations bill within which is included an appropriation for an agency or program within the NFIP. (D) The Chairman may, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, upon the written request to the Chairman from the Inspector General of an element of the Intelligence Committee, grant access to Committee transcripts or documents that are relevant to an investigation of an allegation of possible false testimony or other inappropriate conduct before the Committee, or that are otherwise relevant to the Inspector General's investigation. (E) Upon the written request of the head of an intelligence Community element, the Chairman may, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, make available Committee briefing or hearing transcripts to that element for review by that element if a representative of that element testified, presented information to the Committee, or was present at the briefing or hearing the transcript of which is requested for review. (F) Members and Committee Staff may discuss and disclose such matters as otherwise directed by that Committee. (b) Non-Disclosure Agreement. (1) Generally. All Committee Staff must, before joining the Committee, agree in writing, as a condition of employment, not to divulge any classified information, which comes into such person's possession while a member of the Committee Staff, to any person not a Member of the Committee or the Committee Staff, except as authorized by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the House and these rules. (2) Other Requirements. In the event of the termination of the Committee, Members and Committee Staff must follow any determination by the House of Representatives, with respect to the protection of classified information received while a Member of the Committee or as Committee Staff. (3) Requests for Testimony of Staff. (A) All Committee Staff must, as a condition of employment, agree in writing to notify the Committee immediately of any request for testimony received while a member of the Committee Staff, or at any time thereafter, concerning any classified information received by such person while a member of the Committee staff. (B) Committee Staff shall not disclose, in response to any such request for testimony, any such classified information, except as authorized by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the House and these rules. (C) In the event of the termination of the Committee, Committee Staff will be subject to any determination made by the House of Representatives with respect to any requests for testimony involving classified information received while a member of the Committee staff. 13. Classified Material (a) Receipt of Classified Information. (1) Generally. In the case of any information that has been classified under established security procedures and submitted to the Committee by any source, the Committee shall receive such classified information as executive session material. (2) Staff Receipt of Classified Materials. For purposes classified information, the Committee Staff is authorized to accept information on behalf of the Committee. (b) Non-Disclosure of Classified Information. Generally. Any classified information received by the Committee, from any source, shall not be disclosed to any person not a Member of the Committee or the Committee Staff, or otherwise released, except as authorized by the Committee in accord with the Rules of the House and these rules. 14. Procedures Related to Handling of Classified Information (a) Security Measures. (1) Strict Security. The Committee's offices shall operate under strict security procedures administered by the Director of Security and Registry of the Committee under the direct supervision of the staff director. (2) U.S. Capitol Police Presence Required. At least one U.S. Capitol Police officer shall be on duty at all times outside the entrance of Committee offices to control entry of all persons to such offices. (3) Identification Required. Before entering the Commission's office all persons shall identify themselves to the U.S. Capitol Police officer described in paragraph (2) and to a Member of the Committee, or Committee Staff. (4) Maintenance of Classified Materials. Classified documents shall be segregated and maintained in approved security storage locations. (5) Examination of Classified Materials. Classified documents in the Committee's possession shall be examined in an appropriately secure manner. (6) Prohibition on Removal of Classified Materials. Removal of any classified document from the Committee's offices is strictly prohibited, except as provided by these rules. (7) Exception. Notwithstanding the prohibition set forth in paragraph (6), a classified document, or copy thereof, maybe removed from the Committee's offices in furtherance of official Committee business. Appropriate security procedures shall govern the handling of any classified documents removed from the Committees' offices. (b) Access to Classified Information by Members. All Members of the Committee shall at all times have access to all classified papers and other material received by the Committee from any source. (c) Need-to-know. (1) Generally. Committee Staff shall have access to any classified information provided to the Committee on a strict ``need-to-know'' basis, as determined by the Committee, and under the Committee's direction by the staff director. (2) Appropriate Clearances Required. Committee Staff must have the appropriate clearance prior to any access to compartmented information. (d) Oath. (1) Requirement. Before any Member of the Committee, or the Committee Staff, shall have access to classified information, the following oath shall be executed: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not disclose any classified information received in the course of my service on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, except when authorized to do so by the Committee or the House of Representatives. (2) Copy. A copy of such executed oath shall be retained in the files of the Committee. (2) Registry. (1) Generally. The Committee shall maintain a registry that: (A) provides a brief description of the content of all classified documents provided to the Committee by the executive branch that remain in the possession of the Committee; and (B) lists by number all such documents. (2) Designation by the Staff Director. The staff director shall designate a member of the Committee Staff to be responsible for the organization and daily maintenance of such registry. (3) Availability. Such registry shall be available to all Members of the Committee and Committee Staff. (f) Requests by Members of Other Committees. Pursuant to the Rules of the House, Members who are not Members of the Committee may be granted access to such classified transcripts, records, data, charts, or files of the Committee, and be admitted on a non-participatory basis to classified hearings of the Committee involving discussions of classified material in the following manner: (1) Written Notification Required. Members who desire to examine classified materials in the possession of the Committee, or to attend Committee hearings or briefings on a non-participatory basis, must notify the Chief Clerk of the Committee in writing. (2) Committee Consideration. The Committee shall consider each such request by non-Committee Members at the earliest practicable opportunity. The Committee shall determine, by roll call vote, what action it deems appropriate in light of all of the circumstances of each request. In its determination, the Committee shall consider. (A) the sensitivity to the national defense or the confidential conduct of the foreign relations of the United States of the information sought; (B) the likelihood of its being directly or indirectly disclosed; (C) the jurisdictional interest of the Member making the request; and (D) such other concerns, constitutional or otherwise, as may affect the public interest of the United States. (3) Committee Action. After consideration of the Member's request, the Committee may take any action it may deem appropriate under the circumstances, including but not limited to: (2) approving the request, in whole or part; (3) denying the request; or (A) providing the requested information or material in a different form than that sought by the Member. (4) Requirements for Access by Non-Committee Members. Prior to a non-Committee Member being given access to classified information pursuant to this subsection, the requesting Member shall-- (A) provide the Committee a copy of the oath executed by such Member pursuant to House Rule XXIII, clause 13; and (B) agree in writing not to divulge any classified information provided to the Member pursuant to this subsection to any person not a Member of the Committee or the Committee Staff, except as otherwise authorized by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the House and these rules. (5) Consultation Authorized. When considering a Member's request, the Committee may consult the Director of Central Intelligence and such other officials it considers necessary. (6) Finality of Committee Decisions. (A) Should the Member making such a request disagree with the Committee's determination with respect to that request, or any part thereof, that Member must notify the Committee in writing of such disagreement. (B) The Committee shall subsequently consider the matter and decide, by record vote, what further action or recommendation, if any, the Committee will take. (g) Advising the House or Other Committees. Pursuant to Section 501 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. Sec. 413), and to the Rules of the House, the Committee shall call to the attention of the House, or to any other appropriate committee of the House, those matters requiring the attention of the House, or such other committee, on the basis of the following provisions: (1) By Request of Committee Member. At the request of any Member of the Committee to call to the attention of the House, or any other committee, executive session material in the Committee's possession, the Committee shall meet at the earliest practicable opportunity to consider that request. (2) Committee Consideration of Request. The Committee shall consider the following factors, among any others it deems appropriate: (A) the effect of the matter in question on the national defense or the foreign relations of the United States. (B) whether the matter in question involves sensitive intelligence sources and methods; (C) whether the matter in question otherwise raises serious questions affecting the national interest; and (D) whether the matter in question affects manners within the jurisdiction of another Committee of the House. (3) Views of Other Committees. In examining such factors, the Committee may seek the opinion of Members of the Committee appointed from standing committees of the House with jurisdiction over the matter in question, or submissions from such other committees. (4) Other Advice. The Committee may, during its deliberations on such requests, seek the advice of any executive branch official. (h) Reasonable Opportunity to Examine Materials. Before the Committee makes any decision regarding any request for access to any classified information in its possession, or a proposal to bring any matter to the attention of the House or another committee, Members of the Committee shall have a reasonable opportunity to examine all pertinent testimony, documents, or other materials in the Committee's possession that may inform their decision on the question. (i) Notification to the House. The Committee may bring a matter to the attention of the House when, after consideration of the factors set forth in this rule, it considers the matter in question so grave that it requires the attention of all Members of the House, and time is of the essence, or for any reason the committee finds compelling. (j) Method of Disclosure to the House. (1) Should the Committee decide by roll call vote that a matter requires the attention of the House as described in subsection (i), it shall make arrangements to notify the House promptly. (2) In such cases, the Committee shall consider whether: (A) to request an immediate secret session of the House (with time equally divided between the Majority and the Minority); or (B) to publicly disclose the matter in question pursuant to clause 11(g) of House Rule X. (k) Requirement to Protect Sources and Methods. In bringing a matter to the attention of the House, or another committee, the Committee, with due regard for the protection of intelligence sources and methods, shall take all necessary steps to safeguard materials or information relating to the matter in question. (l) Availability of Information to Other Committees. The Committee, having determined that a matter shall be brought to the attention of another committee, shall ensure that such matter, including all classified information related to that matter, is promptly made available to the chairman and ranking minority member of such other committee. (m) Provision of Materials. The director of Security and Registry for the Committee shall provide a copy of these rules, and the applicable portions of the Rules of the House of Representatives governing the handling of classified information, along with those materials determined by the Committee to be made available to such other committee of the House or Member (not a Member of the Committee). (n) Ensuring Clearances and Secure Storage. The Director of Security and Registry shall ensure that such other committee or Member (not a Member of the Committee) receiving such classified materials may properly store classified materials in a manner consistent with all governing rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and statutes. (o) Log. The Director of Security and Registry for the Committee shall maintain a written record identifying the particular classified document or material provided to such other committee or Member (not a Member of the Committee), the reasons agreed upon by the Committee for approving such transmission, and the name of the committee or Member (not a Member of the Committee) receiving such document or material. (p) Miscellaneous Requirements. (1) Staff Director's Additional Authority. The staff director is further empowered to provide for such additional measures, which he or she deems necessary, to protect such classified information authorized by the Committee to be provided to such other committee or Member (not a Member of the Committee). (2) Notice to Originating Agency. In the event that the Committee authorizes the disclosure of classified information provided to the Committee by an agency of the executive branch to a Member (not a Member of the Committee) or to another committee, the Chairman may notify the providing agency of the Committee's action prior to the transmission of such classified information. 15. Legislative Calendar (a) Generally. The Chief Clerk, under the direction of the staff director, shall maintain a printed calendar that lists: (1) the legislative measures introduced and referred to the Committee; (2) the status of such measures; and (3) such other matters that the Committee may require. (b) Revisions to the Calendar. The calendar shall be revised from time to time to show pertinent changes. (c) Availability. A copy of each such revision shall be furnished to each Member, upon request. (d) Consultation with Appropriate Government Entities. Unless otherwise directed by the committee, legislative measures referred to the Committee shall be referred by the Chief Clerk to the appropriate department or agency of the Government for reports thereon. 16. Committee Travel (a) Authority. The Chairman may authorize Members and Committee Staff to travel on Committee business. (b) Requests. (1) Member Requests. Members requesting authorization for such travel shall state the purpose and length of the trip, and shall submit such request directly to the Chairman. (2) Committee Staff Requests. Committee Staff requesting authorization for such travel shall state the purpose and length of the trip, and shall submit such request through their supervisors to the staff director and the Chairman. (c) Notification to Members. (1) Generally. Members shall be notified of all foreign travel of Committee Staff not accompanying a Member. (2) Content. All Members are to be advised, prior to the commencement of such travel, of its length, nature, and purpose. (d) Trip Reports. (1) Generally. A full report of all issues discussed during any Committee travel shall be submitted to the Chief Clerk of the Committee within a reasonable period of time following the completion of such trip. (2) Availability of Reports. Such report shall be: (A) available for the review of any Member or Committee Staff; and (B) considered executive session material for purposes of these rules. (e) Limitations on Travel. (1) Generally. The Chairman is not authorized to permit travel on Committee business of Committee Staff who have not satisfied the requirements of subsection (d) of this rule. (2) Exception. The Chairman may authorize Committee Staff to travel on Committee business, notwithstanding the requirements of subsections (d) and (e) of this rule-- (A) at the specific request of a Member of the Committee; or (B) in the event there are circumstances beyond the control of the Committee Staff hindering compliance with such requirements. (f) Definitions. For purposes of this rule the term ``reasonable period of time'' means: (1) no later than 60 days after returning from a foreign trip; and (2) no later than 30 days after returning from a domestic trip. (C) Disciplinary Actions (a) Generally. The Committee shall immediately consider whether disciplinary action shall be taken in the case of any member of the Committee Staff alleged to have failed to conform to any Rule of the House of Representatives or to these rules. (b) Exception. In the event the House of Representatives is: (1) in the recess period in excess of 3 days; or (2) has adjourned sine die; the Chairman of the full Committee, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may take such immediate disciplinary actions deemed necessary. (c) Available Actions. Such disciplinary action may include immediate dismissal from the Committee Staff. (d) Notice to Members. All Members shall be notified as soon as practicable, either by facsimile transmission or regular mail, of any disciplinary action taken by the Chairman pursuant to subsection (b). (e) Reconsideration of Chairman's Actions. A majority of the Members of the full Committee may vote to overturn the decision of the Chairman to take disciplinary action pursuant to subsection (b). 18. Broadcasting Committee Meetings Whenever any hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee is open to the public, a majority of the Committee may permit that hearing or meeting to be covered, in whole or in part, by television broadcast, radio broadcast, and still photography, or by any of such methods of coverage, subject to the provisions and in accordance with the spirit of the purposes enumerated in the Rules of the House. 19. Committee Records Transferred to the National Archives (a) Generally. The records of the Committee at the National Archives and Records Administration shall be made available for public use in accordance with the Rules of the House of Representatives. (b) Notice of withholding. The Chairman shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of any decision, pursuant to the Rules of the House of Representatives, to withhold a record otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented to the full Committee for a determination of the question of public availability on the written request of any Member of the Committee. 20. Changes in Rules (a) Generally. These rules may be modified, amended, or repealed by vote of the full Committee. (b) Notice of Proposed Changes. A notice, in writing, of the proposed change shall be given to each Member at least 48 hours prior to any meeting at which action on the proposed rule change is to be taken.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Madam Speaker, the United States has always been fortunate in its history to have two large oceans separating it from many of the troubles that exist elsewhere in the world. This has meant that until recently, the American Homeland had been protected from foreign hostilities for the better part of two centuries. However, the rise of global commerce in combination with a new type of foreign enemy now threatens to undermine this blissful pax americana. The United States has 95,000 miles of open shoreline. Along this breadth of shoreline are located 361 ports and into them pours six million marine containers annually. The scale of the shipping industry is simply stunning. Unfortunately, on any one of these ships or in any of the containers may be unexpected stowaways with deadly plans or weapons. Representing a coastal district in southwest Florida, I know first hand that the Coast Guard does a heroic job of watching over our borders. But they need help and they need it now. H.R. 3983 is a good first step in this direction. The bill requires that the Secretary of Transportation do a comprehensive review of our vulnerabilities and prepare plans to reduce risk of attack. Further, the bill requires a plan to better coordinate Federal, state, and local efforts in the prevention of maritime terrorism. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation that will help to better protect our Nation's shoreline and ports.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I move to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only on the matter before us. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 372 is a closed rule which has been crafted to bring forward the annual Congressional budget resolution. While this differs in some ways from years past, it does reflect the fact that the previous 6 months has been anything but typical in the United States of America. As with all legislation considered by this body in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, we have found ourselves in a unique situation where the traditional way of doing things has been modified by both sides to meet the more important priorities of a Nation fighting a war. I am very pleased that the motion to adjourn and the one that preceded it both showed that even though there were 77 Members, or 72 Members in the second vote of the loyal opposition who do want to adjourn, that on a large bipartisan basis, most of this body wants to get on with this important work of the budget, and I think it is in that bipartisan spirit that we present this rule. For a number of years, we have gotten into the admirable habit of managing debate on the budget by asking that all amendments be drafted in the form of substitutes so that Members could consider the whole picture as we debate and weigh spending priorities, which is, after all, our first mission here. Although we set out to continue that practice this year, unfortunately no real alternatives were offered. While some may claim and some will claim that some near substitutes were offered, the proposals were actually modifications to process rather than substance, and they in no way qualified as full substitutes. Despite rhetoric that I am sure we will hear as we always do in this particular debate that states otherwise, this rule provides a healthy forum for debate of our Nation's budget, and that is what we will be about this afternoon. It provides for 3 hours of general debate with 2 hours confined to the Congressional budget, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget. Additionally, 1 hour of what we call Humphrey-Hawkins debate on the subject of economic goals and policies will be equally divided and controlled by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Stark), the House chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Joint Economics respectively. The rule further waives all points of order against consideration of the concurrent resolution and provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the report of the Committee on Rules shall be considered as adopted in the House and in the Committee of the Whole, and the rule permits the chairman of the Committee on the Budget to offer amendments in the House to achieve mathematical consistency. Finally, the rule provides that the concurrent resolution shall not be subject to a demand for a or division the question of its adoption. So this is a fair rule. It is a practical rule and it fits the circumstances that we have today very well. Mr. Speaker, in previous years the beginning of the budget season was a time when Members of this body would show the full color of their beliefs. Like in that other great rite of spring, the growth of the cherry blossoms, Washington explodes with new life and vividness as the great budgetary debates began, and we heard lots of good ideas. We argued over what programs should grow, what should prosper, what should be cut. We disagreed about how much money should be used to pay down debts and how much should be given back to the citizens, and we debated about lockboxes and highway funds, and in short, we argued about what are the proper responsibilities of the government, how do we go about our spending. In all my years on Capitol Hill I have seldom met a Member of this body who did not believe that security and defense are among the most basic and essential duties of government, and that is what this budget is about, our national security. In fact, this budget is about three types of security. First, it is about fiscal security for the Nation. This budget increases our defense spending by 13 percent so that well-paid, well- trained and well-equipped soldiers can defeat and deter all those who wish to harm the United States of America and its citizens at home and abroad. The budget also provides $38 billion for new homeland defense spending. This money will be used to monitor our borders, improve intelligence collection, secure airports and better equip first responders for acts of terrorism, and indeed, we have seen some amazing heroic acts from those first responders. Second, this budget is about economic security. It continues to pay down the national debt and retains important tax cuts for families and businesses. Additionally, this budget provides money for investments in energy, transportation and agriculture. Collectively, these measures will ensure that our economy continues to turn the corner away from recession and towards sustained prosperity. Thirdly, this budget is about personal security. It secures the commitments that our government has made to its citizens. It increases spending for veterans programs, and in my district that is particularly welcome news. It increases spending for education funding, for Medicare costs and environmental needs, and of course, Social Security is protected. All of America's most important social spending programs are maintained and increased under this budget. In total this $2.1 trillion budget the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle) has put together meets all of America's long-standing commitments while it greatly increases funds for programs that will safeguard the lives of our families, our neighbors, our fellow citizens in this time of unusual peril. Many may try to argue that this is the first deficit budget in recent years or that some favorite project of theirs is not sufficiently funded. Many will even try to claim both of these at the same time, and it is true that some projections show we will run a modest deficit this year, but in the last 6 months our Nation has been through war and recession. The small deficit we may face this year is a minor cost considering the urgency of defense needs and given the fact that all major social programs are fully funded. Further, most budget experts agree that for the rest of the decade after this emergency year we can expect increasing budget surpluses. When I speak to my constituents back home in southwest Florida, the last thing in the world they are concerned about is which political party scored points in this debate today. What matters to them now is that their government steps up and does the job that it was created to do to protect their lives and their liberty. It is our duty to give the American people a budget that does precisely that. This is a fair rule to bring forward, an excellent budget. I urge passage of the rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions), a member of the committee.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire of the time that remains on either side?

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2002, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in House Concurrent Resolution 360, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3924.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Madam Speaker, in the past, usually during consideration of the Intelligence budget, I have risen before this body and mentioned the superb and thoroughly knowledgeable staff that resides in the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, of which we are very proud. These individuals are specially selected because of their knowledge and their understanding of the intelligence world, a world that is actually very arcane and confusing to people who do not spend time in it. We do not talk a lot about these folks and they do not seek recognition. They are not that kind. They understand that much of the work must be done in secret so as not to betray the sensitive information they handle, but let me assure my colleagues and the American people that this group of dedicated people works very hard, and they dig very deeply into the operations of the Intelligence Community in order to ensure that there is oversight of intelligence activity and that our Nation is secure and the Intelligence Community is playing by the rules. I want to specifically recognize one of these dedicated people who has served the committee and our country diligently for almost 2 decades. Her name is Diane Roark, and I am sorry to say that when this body reconvenes in April Diane will no longer be on our staff. She is retiring from the House and from government service. Madam Speaker, Diane first joined the committee in April 1985, having previously served in the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and just prior to joining us, on the National Security Council, where she was Deputy Director of Intelligence Programs. Since joining the committee, Diane has excelled in the very difficult, technical areas of our oversight. She was the program monitor for the National Reconnaissance Office where she not only challenged the embedded bureaucracy and made it become more innovative in approaches to future election, but she also forced the office to restructure and reform their fiscal accountability system so that oversight was assured. Most recently, Diane has been our program manager for the National Security Agency, a vital agency for us. This agency has many, severe challenges, Madam Speaker, and if it were not for the efforts of Ms. Roark, I do believe that our committee's efforts to oversee and advocate for NAS would have been much less effective, and for that she has my personal thanks. Diane is known as a very dedicated, tough-minded program monitor who digs into the issues and forces agencies to see and understand what they sometimes miss themselves. She is also known as a very knowledgeable task master, and her arrival at an agency is often anticipated with apprehension. Those managing the community know that she is usually on the mark with her assessments and that she takes the public's trust very well to heart. Recently, one of the senior managers within the community commented on her performance by saying that our staff ``is very aggressive in their oversight and has a very serious and in-depth knowledge of our programs, sometimes a better understanding than some of the senior managers do.'' I think that this is the type of oversight capability that the American people are entitled to and should demand. I cannot think of any greater tribute for Diane than knowing that agency leaders throughout the community recognize that her instincts and assessments are sound. So, Madam Speaker, it is with some sadness that I rise today to say farewell to a public servant who has dedicated a career to ensuring our security, each and every one of us. Diane's departure is truly our loss, although I know that her younger son, Bryce, will enjoy having Mom around home more. We are going to miss her. On behalf of the committee I thank Diane for her professionalism, her dedication, her unfailing commitment to our Nation and its security. We wish her well in her future endeavors, whatever they be. Know that she has served her country well and she will be missed. Job well done.