GovExec.com Homeland Security Week - September 15, 2004
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September 15, 2004
* 9/11 investigation spawns whistleblower movement
* Focus on 9/11 panel shifts attention from Homeland Security authorization
* Powell, Ridge endorse national intelligence director concept
* Justice Department plans more labs focused on cyber crime
* 9/11 commissioner pushes Congress to act on recommendations
* House leaders grappling with next step on first-responder measure
* Senate nixes bid to boost Homeland Security spending
* Whistleblowers urge workers to disclose classified information
* Bush backs 'intelligence czar' with control over budgets
* FBI, CIA directors oppose aspects of intelligence reform
* Senate panel weighs urgency of intelligence reforms
* Senators say data-sharing transformation must continue
* Quote of the week
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1. 9/11 investigation spawns whistleblower movement
By Chris Strohm
A growing group of government whistleblowers has emerged in the wake of the 9/11
commission's investigation, making allegations that include everything from corruption
and mismanagement within federal agencies to espionage within the FBI's Washington
field office.
The whistleblowers acknowledge their claims and reputations depend on presenting facts
and evidence, and say they plan to submit information to Congress and the media in the
coming weeks.
More than two dozen former and current government employees have joined forces since
the 9/11 commission issued its final report and recommendations in July. Most of the
whistleblowers met or learned of each other through the 9/11 investigation, and
several gave testimony to the commission or Congress. Ironically, they are now highly
critical of the commission's final report, saying it does not reflect testimony they
gave, offers misguided recommendations and fails to hold any individuals accountable.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/091304c1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/091304c1.htm
_____
2. Focus on 9/11 panel shifts attention from Homeland Security authorization
By Greta Wodele, CongressDaily
Public demands for action on the recommendations by the 9/11 Commission have overtaken
efforts by House Homeland Security Chairman Christopher Cox, R-Calif., and ranking
member Jim Turner, D-Texas, to craft a bipartisan homeland security authorization bill.
It not only likely postpones work on the authorization bill until next year, but also
raises questions about whether the House Homeland Security Committee will win its
battle to become a permanent committee.
Cox and Turner's work already had bogged down over how to proceed with more than 60
Democratic amendments. After canceling, stalling and rescheduling markups this summer,
they had to set things aside when Congress broke for its summer recess and the
national party conventions.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/091304cdam1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/091304cdam1.htm
_____
3. Powell, Ridge endorse national intelligence director concept
>From CongressDaily
Secretary of State Colin Powell and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge Monday
endorsed the concept of creating a new national intelligence director to coordinate
the nation's intelligence agencies.
They told the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee that giving the position real
power will help better protect the country, the Associated Press reported.
"A strong national intelligence director is essential," Powell said. "That strength is
gained by giving the NID full budget authority."
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/091304cdpm1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/091304cdpm1.htm
_____
4. Justice Department plans more labs focused on cyber crime
By Sarah Lai Stirland, National Journal's Technology Daily
Attorney General John Ashcroft said on Monday that the Justice Department soon will
expand its capabilities for pursuing cyber crimes by broadening its forensic analysis
capabilities.
The department has five regional centers for such analysis in the prosecution of cyber
crimes and will increase the number to 13, he said. He did not provide further details.
"We recognize that proper forensic analysis of computer evidence is critical for the
successful investigation and prosecution of crime," he said in a keynote address at a
conference held by the High Technology Crime Investigation Association.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/091304td1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/091304td1.htm
_____
5. 9/11 commissioner pushes Congress to act on recommendations
By Daniel Pulliam
Urging Congress to consider policies that would encourage recruiting and retaining
high-caliber talent for the federal government, 9/11 Commissioner Timothy Roemer said
Thursday that terrorism will be defeated by quality people, not new organizational
charts or wiring diagrams.
Speaking at a briefing hosted by the Partnership for Public Service, a Washington
nonprofit group working to encourage more Americans to consider federal employment,
the former Indiana congressman urged adoption of the commission's 41 recommendations
to make sure federal employees have the right equipment to fight terrorism.
"We must invest in people at the CIA, people that speak the language and can penetrate
al Qaeda," Roemer said. "[Former CIA Director] George Tenet said it would take five
years to reform the CIA, but we don't have five minutes."
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090904dp1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090904dp1.htm
_____
Brought to you by IBM - Essential Information for Government
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}
{Image: Brought to you by IBM}
Join IBM and ESRI, on September 23, 2004, for a complimentary eGov Leadership Seminar,
"The Value of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to the Enterprise." Hear keynoter,
Brigadier General Michael Lee, and industry speakers, discuss how agencies are making
better decisions by integrating GIS solutions and geospatial intelligence with
government business processes.
To register, visit: { Link:
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;10788805;5622871;p?http://www-1.ibm.com/gold/portal/servlet/gold/federal/Content?contentURL=/gold/portal/html/en_US15/96750.html&page=Content
}
www.ibm.com/federal
or call 1 800 333 6705.
_____
6. House leaders grappling with next step on first-responder measure
By Greta Wodele, CongressDaily
If and when the House takes up legislation to change the way the nation's first
responders receive funding to prepare and respond to a terrorist attack, GOP leaders
must still decide how to move the package.
House Homeland Security Chairman Christopher Cox, R-Calif., who introduced the measure
earlier this year, could attempt to once again bring the legislation to the floor
under suspension of the rules next week. That strategy would require a two-thirds vote
for approval -- an outcome some say is doubtful.
Cox said last week he is aiming for a suspension vote, but "it depends on what shape
the bill is in" after negotiations conclude with New York City GOP Mayor Michael
Bloomberg.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090904cdam2.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090904cdam2.htm
_____
7. Senate nixes bid to boost Homeland Security spending
By Peter Cohn and Susan Davis, CongressDailyPM
Senators on Thursday rejected, 51-43, an attempt to waive federal budget restrictions
to add $2 billion in transit, rail and other homeland security priorities to the $32
billion fiscal 2005 Homeland Security appropriations bill.
Senate Appropriations ranking member Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., proposed the additions as
debate continued on the Homeland Security spending measure, which may reach a final
vote this week before Congress takes a break for Rosh Hashana. When passed, the bill
would be only the second appropriations bill completed by the Senate, with 11 more yet
to be done. The chamber already has ignored one veto threat from the White House on
the Homeland Security bill by adopting an amendment to prevent outsourcing of some
government jobs to the private sector. The labor-backed amendment passed 49-47 last
week with GOP support.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, is attempting to negotiate time
agreements for floor consideration of remaining spending bills, as subcommittees
continue marking up through this week.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090904cdpm1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090904cdpm1.htm
_____
8. Whistleblowers urge workers to disclose classified information
By Chris Strohm
A group of former government officials urged federal employees Thursday to come
forward with information exposing government wrongdoing - - especially with regard to
Iraq - - and announced a new legal support network to protect whistleblowers.
The group issued a public memo asking current government officials to disclose
classified information concerning plans and cost estimates for the war in Iraq, as
well as other documents that reveal government deceit or misconduct.
"Some of you have documentation of wrongly concealed facts and analyses that, if
brought to light, would impact heavily on public debate regarding crucial matters of
national security, both foreign and domestic," the memo states. "We urge you to
provide that information now, both to Congress and, through the media, to the public."
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090904c1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090904c1.htm
_____
9. Bush backs 'intelligence czar' with control over budgets
By Keith Koffler, CongressDaily
President Bush called last week for a national intelligence director "who has full
budgetary authority," embracing a recommendation of the commission that investigated
the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that the new "intelligence czar" control the
budgets of the intelligence agencies.
Bush spoke before a White House meeting with a bipartisan group of senior lawmakers,
where he presented a proposal for creating a national intelligence director.
According to a White House summary, the "NID" would be appointed by the president and
confirmed by the Senate. Although part of the executive branch, the NID would not be a
member of the Cabinet and would not be within the White House.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090804cdpm1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090804cdpm1.htm
_____
10. FBI, CIA directors oppose aspects of intelligence reform
By Chris Strohm
The directors of the FBI and CIA told Senate Governmental Affairs Committee members
last week that they oppose proposals to overhaul the intelligence community that would
take power away from their respective agencies.
Members of the committee said the creation of a powerful national intelligence
director appears inevitable, especially since President Bush told congressional
leaders last week that he will submit a plan to Congress giving the new director
budgetary authority over the nation's 15 intelligence agencies.
"It is clear from our hearings that the director of Central Intelligence lacks the
budget and personnel authorities necessary to achieve the kind of unity of effort that
we need across the intelligence community," committee ranking member Sen. Joseph
Lieberman, D-Conn., said during the hearing.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090804c1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090804c1.htm
_____
11. Senate panel weighs urgency of intelligence reforms
By Daniel Pulliam
The Senate Select Intelligence Committee peppered 9/11 commission members last week
with questions about on the merits of their recommendations and the urgency of the
proposals' implementation.
With 19 days remaining in the congressional session, many senators on the committee
questioned whether the commission's recommendations, along with the regular work of
Congress, could be completed before lawmakers return home for the fall election
campaigns.
Commission Chairman Thomas Kean, a former Republican governor of New Jersey, said the
sooner the recommendations were implemented, the safer the American people would be
from terrorist attacks.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090804dp1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090804dp1.htm
_____
12. Senators say data-sharing transformation must continue
By David Hatch, National Journal's Technology Daily
With the third anniversary of the 2001 attacks just three days away, two influential
lawmakers cited progress last week toward sharing intelligence information within
government but said more cooperation is needed to protect Americans.
Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, and the
panel's ranking Democrat, Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, made their remarks during a
hearing on making the intelligence community more agile to fight terrorism and
emerging threats.
Both senators were part of a group of lawmakers that met last week with President Bush
and Vice President Dick Cheney to discuss intelligence reform.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090804tdpm1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090804tdpm1.htm
_____
13. Quote of the Week:
"In my opinion, there's no doubt that had all the facts been centralized ... 9/11
could have been prevented."
-- Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., citing the need for { Link:
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090704c1.htm }
sweeping legislation to overhaul the U.S. intelligence community.
_____
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