You Can Handle The Truth

The House Intelligence Committee chairman said on Wednesday that Congress must not cut — but rather boost — funding for U.S. intelligence agencies in the wake of Osama bin Laden’s killing, insisting now is the time to “break” al Qaeda’s back. 

Rep. Mike Rogers (Mich.), one of the few lawmakers kept apprised of the covert Navy SEALs mission in the days prior to it, called the killing of bin Laden a victory, but cautioned against becoming complacent or overconfident.   

“Al Qaeda is alive and well; they are hurt; they are damaged. Their inspirational and operational leader has been taken off the battlefield, which is a huge opportunity for us,” Rogers said, speaking to the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. “This is the time to step on the gas and break their back.”

   Rogers said U.S. intelligence agencies – such as the Central Intelligence Agency, the office of the Director of National Intelligence and the National Security Agency  – have made great strides at gathering, analyzing, and sharing intelligence in the decade since 9/11. But he said much work remains. 
   And while troubled U.S. economy provides a reason for fiscal restraint, Rogers said cutting back intelligence budgets would turn back the progress made so far.
 “This is the wrong time to back off on funding the intelligence community, when they are very close to technological breakthroughs that will make our analytical products exponentially better by giving analysts access to far more information,” he said.
“It’s one of the few line items you’ll see this year coming out of the House that will be a slight increase."
   Rogers said the committee was able to trim back some of the agency budgets by finding some areas of duplication and programs that could be consolidated. Those cost-savings, he said, will help pay for increased funding that will go toward technological growth.


To summarize my feelings on this story... I know that we are in a very tough situation economically. I know that it is also important for the United States to keep it's boot on the neck of Al Qaeda. But I must come down on the side of the money. #1, There is no credible link to tons of government spending, and catching Bin Laden. #2 This feels like another excuse to raise spending, and they are using a typical Republican soft spot to get it done. And #3 When I said smaller government, I meant it! No matter the cost EVERYTHING must be cut, my children can't afford it anymore!