THE RAW DEAL: John Kerry's Intelligence Amnesia

George W. Bush ^ | July 16, 2004

[RWR8189]

"John Kerry's campaign trail amnesia extended today to his record of proposing intelligence cuts totaling $7.5 billion while serving on the Senate Intelligence Committee, cuts so radical even his fellow Democrats criticized them. John Kerry's attack is another example of his flailing efforts to defend a record that is out of the mainstream."

- Steve Schmidt, Bush-Cheney '04 Spokesman

Kerry's Dismal Intelligence Record

Kerry Was On Senate Select Intelligence Committee For Eight Years (1993-2000). (Michael Barone and Grant Ujifusa, The Almanac Of American Politics 2000, 1999, p. 1796; Michael Barone and Grant Ujifusa, The Almanac Of American Politics 1998, 1997, p. 1579; Michael Barone and Grant Ujifusa, The Almanac Of American Politics 1996, 1995, p. 1494; Michael Barone and Grant Ujifusa, The Almanac Of American Politics 1994, 1993, p. 1427)

• While On Committee, Kerry Proposed At Least Three Significant Cuts To Intelligence Budget Totalling $7.5 Billion.
• A Look At Kerry's Legislative Record During That Same Time Period Finds No Legislation That Kerry Proposed (Wrote And Sponsored) To Increase Funding For Human Intelligence Or Reform Intelligence Community To Focus Resources On Human Intelligence Gathering.

Kerry Voted Three Times To Reveal Top Secret Intelligence Budget.

Sen. Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ) Said Kerry's 1994 Amendment To Cut Intelligence Would "Close Our Eyes And Ears" To Gathering Threats. "We have to stay ready. It makes no sense for us to close our eyes and ears to developments around the world which could ultimately save U.S. lives and resources." (Sen. Dennis DeConcini [D-AZ], Congressional Record, 2/10/94, p. S1360)

• Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) Said Kerry's Proposed Cut "Would Severely Hamper" Intelligence Efforts. "Madam President, the intelligence budget has already been cut by almost 18 percent over the past 2 years. An additional reduction of $1 billion would severely hamper the intelligence community's ability to provide decision makers and policymakers with information on matters of vital concern to this country." (Sen. Daniel Inouye [D-HI], Congressional Record, 2/10/94, pp. S1330-S1332)
• Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) Said Kerry's Amendment Would Leave Our Troops Vulnerable To Attack. "Madam President, if we expect the 1 percent of our Nation to risk their lives and stand in harm's way, the least we can do is to provide them with all of the resources necessary so that they can carry out their mission and get home to their loved ones. We cannot do any less. This amendment would take away their protection, and I am not prepared to do that." (Sen. Daniel Inouye [D-HI], Congressional Record, 2/10/94, pp. S1330-S1332)

In 1995, Kerry Voted To Slash FBI Funding By $80 Million. "Kohl, D-Wis., amendment to add $80 million for social crime prevention programs and offset the cost by cutting FBI funding by an equal amount." (H.R. 2076, CQ Vote #480: Adopted 49-41: R 9-40; D 40-1, 9/29/95, Kerry Voted Yea)

President Bush's Record On Intelligence

President Bush Has Taken Substantial Steps To Strengthen Our Intelligence Capabilities.

• The Bush Administration is transforming the FBI – strengthening its ability to gather intelligence and disrupt terrorists.
• The Bush Administration created the Terrorist Threat Integration Center, bringing together analysts from the FBI, CIA, Department of Homeland Security and other agencies, giving our leaders a more comprehensive and integrated picture of the threats facing America at home and abroad.
• The USA PATRIOT Act breaks down the unnecessary "wall" between intelligence gathering and law enforcement – a wall that hamstrung our counterterrorism efforts before 9/11.
• The President has appointed an independent commission -- chaired by Governor and former Senator Chuck Robb and Judge Laurence Silberman -- to look at American intelligence capabilities, especially our intelligence about weapons of mass destruction. ("Talking Points On Senate Intelligence Committee Report," The White House, 7/9/04)

President Bush Will Continue To Make The Reforms Required To Keep America Safe. The Administration will carefully review the Committee's report – along with the upcoming report of the 9/11 Commission – as part of our efforts to further strengthen America's security. Based on what we already know, the President believes that any intelligence reform efforts should: 

• Increase both the quality and quantity of human intelligence collection – a key tool in disrupting terrorist attacks; 
• Invest more in our technical intelligence capability so that we stay ahead of our enemies' changing communications technology and tactics; and
• Ensure the most effective and coordinated use of these resources and personnel, since there are multiple agencies with intelligence responsibilities. ("Talking Points On Senate Intelligence Committee Report," The White House, 7/9/04)
  

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