Cole Opposes Cuts to Critical Intelligence Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) last night opposed the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. This bill diverts critical intelligence resources from hunting down al Qaeda to studying climate change.

"I believe that common sense solutions that promote clean air and water are very important," Congressman Cole said. "But I do not believe that our nation's intelligence dollars should be redirected from gathering information that has kept our country safe from another attack to studying climate change. We have federal agencies already designated for these types of studies."

The 2008 Intelligence Authorization Act cuts human intelligence programs counter to the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, and significantly cuts certain specific initiatives related to America's efforts to counter radical jihadists and to support our nation's objectives in Iraq, but calls for the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a national intelligence estimate (NIE) on the geopolitical effects of global climate change.

"Intelligence dollars should be used to strengthen America's intelligence capabilities, especially when our country is in a time of war," Congressman Cole continued.

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