Senate Proceeding on Oct 1st, 2009 :: 4:00:35 to 4:04:15
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4:00:32 to 4:00:54( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: without objection, so ordered. the clerk: the sphror wyoming, mr. barrasso, proposes amendment numbered at the appropriate place, insert the following: section -- no appropriated or otherwise made available by available for the cen climate change and national security of intelligence agency. mr. barrasso: mr. president,

4:00:35 to 4:04:15( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: John Barrasso

4:00:55 to 4:01:16( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: on september 25, the central intelligence agency announced the creation of the c.i.a. center on climate change and national security. now, i'm introducing an amendment today to the fiscal year 2010 defense appropriations bill that would prevent funds in this bill from going to that center. the c.i.a. is responsible for

4:01:17 to 4:01:38( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: gathering foreign intelligence information for the united states. we have threats from around the world. the most immediate of these threats is the prevention of future terrorist attacks on the united states' soil. i do not believe that creating a center on climate change is going to prevent one terrorist attack. why is thi administration

4:01:39 to 4:01:59( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: having our intelligence officials, the men and women who protect this country, have these men and women staff and operate a climate change center? the creation of this center appears to elevate the issue of climate change to the level of terrorism and foreign espionage. to me, this raises a number of

4:02:00 to 4:02:20( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: questions. now, the c.i.a. always claims to have scarce resources and competing priorities. well, what are the costs going to be of creating this new climate center? isn't -- isn't there a more efficient way to achieve the same ruments using existing resources?

4:02:21 to 4:02:41( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: why can't the c.i.a. get this information through traditional channels such as the state department officials in the field, the e.p.a., the national oceanic and atmospheric administration, and other federal agencies? how does the c.i.a. get information about other issues -- world hunger, disease, financial markets -- to make their decisions? do they have centers for all of

4:02:42 to 4:03:03( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: these shalls as well? is this center going to make demands on the current c.i.a. bureaucracy? will they use existing personnel? will they hire new people? will these personnel have tasking authority? and you know, mr. president, tasking authority means the ability to make satellites off of watching terrorists and have

4:03:04 to 4:03:25( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: them instead watch arctic ice sheets? will someone sitting in a dark room watching satellite video of northern afghanistan now be sitting in a dark room watching polar ice caps? the priorities just seem to be out of focus, mr. president. the senate, i believe, should support this amendment and bring the focus back in line with america's national security

4:03:26 to 4:03:47( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: interests. the c.i.a. has an important job to do. it must not be distractedy being forced to deal with climat chae. now, mr. president, additionally, i ask unanimous consent that andrew jillson of senator demint's staff, be

4:03:48 to 4:04:09( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: granted floor privileges during the debate of h.r. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. barrasso: thank you, mr. president. i yield the floor and i suggest the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll.