THOMPSON LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE EMBASSY SECURITY TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW
WASHINGTON D.C. – Legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) to improve the security at American embassies passed the U.S. House of Representatives today as part of H.R. 4681, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 and will now be signed into law.
Since the Benghazi attack in 2012, studies have identified the need for security personnel at U.S. diplomatic posts to receive threat information from the Intelligence Community in a timelier manner so they can request and receive security enhancements as needed. Thompson's legislation will address this need by enhancing information sharing.
"Since the Benghazi attack in 2012, we've spent far too much time debating fabricated scandals, and far too little time discussing what needs to be done to help make sure Americans serving in our foreign embassies are safe," said Thompson. "Studies since the Benghazi attack have shown that we need to improve communication between our Intelligence Community and our diplomatic outposts, and this will make sure that happens."
Ensuring security personnel at U.S. diplomatic posts receive threat information from the Intelligence Community in a timely manner requires excellent information sharing and communication between the Intelligence and Diplomatic Security communities.
Thompson's legislation directs the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to provide an assessment of the status of threat information sharing between the Intelligence Community and diplomatic security personnel, and to propose remedial action to help make sure security personnel at U.S. embassies can request and receive security enhancements in a timely manner. The classified report from the DNI will be submitted to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.
H.R. 4681 passed the House by a vote of 325-100. It now goes to the President to be signed into law.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
# # #