National Security

October 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke proposed reforms to modernize America’s export controls system, which will enhance national security and increase the competitiveness of U.S. companies, in a speech at the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Update Conference on Export Controls today. The United States export control system seeks to prevent sensitive items from falling into the hands of those who seek to do us harm.    » read more »

Washington, DC - 09/30/2009 - Today, Carol Browner, director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy and Kathleen Hicks, deputy undersecretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans and Forces joined leading military and defense experts to discuss the critical links between climate change, energy and national security.

The Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate, the Military Officers Association of America and CNA hosted the National Security, Energy and Climate Forum: Challenges and Solutions for the Future. During the event, panelists discussed how climate change and our energy posture threaten the country’s national security and ways the U.S. military is preparing to meet these challenges.    » read more »

Legislation Would Protect Privacy Rights and National Security

September 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Jeff Bingaman today joined in introducing legislation to reform the Patriot Act and other surveillance laws to better protect Americans' constitutional right to privacy while providing the government with the tools necessary to effectively fight terrorism.

The legislation, titled the Judiciously Using Surveillance Tools in Counterterrorism Efforts (JUSTICE) Act, would:    » read more »

September 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last night the United States Senate unanimously approved the passage of the Intelligence Community (IC) Audit Act of 2009 (S. 385), introduced by U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, as a part of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (S. 1494).

"For too long, the Intelligence Community's refusal to fully cooperate with Congress and the Government Accountability Office has led to significant blind spots in national security and management oversight," Senator Akaka said. "GAO has shown that it can be trusted to responsibly review intelligence activities and make recommendations that will improve effectiveness."    » read more »

June 4, 2009 -- Albuquerque, N.M.—U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced today the formation of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) Southwest Border Task Force, a diverse group of national security experts charged with examining the Department’s efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border and providing advice and recommendations directly to the Secretary.    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- "Thank you, Tim, for that introduction, and my thanks to the Foreign Policy Association for inviting me to be here tonight. It is an honor to speak to the members of an organization who have added so much to our nation’s foreign policy debate over the years.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- As President, my highest priority is the safety and security of the American people. That is why, in February, I issued a Presidential Study Directive to look at how the White House should be organized to deal with the critical issues of homeland security and counterterrorism.

I have carefully reviewed the findings and recommendations of that study, and am announcing a new approach which will strengthen our security and the safety of our citizens. These decisions reflect the fundamental truth that the challenges of the 21st Century are increasingly unconventional and transnational, and therefore demand a response that effectively integrates all aspects of American power.

Key decisions that I have made include:    » read more »

May 21, 2009 -- In the midst of heated debate over the future of the Canadian oil sands, a new report from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) says that prudent greenhouse gas regulations can safely limit emissions while allowing for robust development of the oil sands.

The report argues that oil sands production delivers both energy security benefits and climate change damages, but warns that both are often overstated. “For the near future, the economic and security value of oil sands expansion will likely outweigh the climate damages that the oil sands create,” it says, “but climate concerns cannot and must not be ignored, and will become more important over time.” Policymakers, it emphasizes, must carefully balance the two concerns.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today released the following statement after President Obama’s national security address.

“Today the President spoke honestly to the American people about the state of our national security and demonstrated true leadership – a refreshing change from the previous eight years of policies that repeatedly hurt our standing in the world, provided ammunition to our enemies and weakened our national security. President’s Obama’s speech today shows that we have an administration that will institute a more effective strategy to combat terrorism, all the while committed to maintaining our highest principles.    » read more »

May 21, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of Judiciary Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee and Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, released the following statement in response to President Obama’s remarks on national security delivered today at the National Archives:    » read more »

WASHINGTON (May 13, 2009) -- The Energy and Commerce Committee under Chairmen Waxman and Markey are prepared to move forward with clean energy and climate legislation (the American Clean Energy and Security Act).

Following is a statement by Dan Lashof, Director of the Climate Center for the Natural Resources Defense Council:    » read more »

May 13, 2009 -- Washington, D.C.--The House Energy and Commerce Committee has reportedly reached agreement on a compromise version of the American Clean Energy & Security Act, a comprehensive clean energy and climate plan. With the full committee markup set to begin this later week, the Sierra Club offered the following comments.

Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director    » read more »

May 11, 2009 -- While on a net basis the United States imports nearly 60 percent of the oil it consumes, this reliance on imported oil is not by itself a major national security threat, according to a RAND Corporation study issued today.

The study finds that the economic costs of a major disruption in global oil supplies—including higher prices for American consumers—pose the greatest risk to the United States.    » read more »

President’s Request Supports Department’s Traditional Missions While Strengthening National Security Efforts

May 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that the President’s FY 2010 budget proposal totals $26.7 billion for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to increase support for the Department’s traditional missions while strengthening national security efforts. The request represents a 3.8 percent increase in budget authority and an increase of 3,977 positions over the FY 2009 enacted appropriation.    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- James S. Brady Press Briefing Room -- MR. GIBBS: Here for the p.m. edition of the White House briefing.

Q Make this a habit.

MR. GIBBS: Yes -- keep you guys busy.

The President has obviously concluded the meetings with President Karzai and President Zardari. And as promised, we'll give a -- get a readout from General Jones, the President's National Security Advisor.

General.

GENERAL JONES: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I'm pleased to be here to talk a little bit about the meetings that were held this afternoon that you've already heard quite a bit about. I'd just like to add a couple of points to those that have been already been made.    » read more »