9/11 Families for a Secure America

On November 30, Center President and CEO Frank J. Gaffney, Jr., appeared at a press conference with members of 9/11 Families for a Secure America to discuss the intelligence reform bill. Below are excerpts of his remarks.

"I think it is our view, both those of us in the national security community – I think the overwhelming majority of people in the intelligence community – and certainly the people representing these families, that this bill would do harm. It would do harm if it leaves out key provisions of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, specifically those that relate to the horrific deficiencies in our immigration and border control policies and practices.

"But there are also problems with what’s in the bill, and I would just like to add that to this discussion….the military is now inextricably tied to the intelligence capabilities of this country. It’s simply not possible for the United States military to perform the sorts of tasks we’re asking them to do every day without…reliable access to these intelligence capabilities….

"If you were to take the responsibility for managing and budgeting those capabilities away from the Defense Department agencies currently charged with them, you…I’m afraid, are inviting serious harm to what is arguably the single most important asset that makes our military second to none in the world – namely, the ability to use in real time and with great effect intelligence.

"I hope…that we do not finish this job in a defective way…that we take the time necessary to do it properly."