Bipartisan House Passes Intel Bill On Eve Of 9/11 Anniversary

In a 384-14 vote, the House voted nearly unanimously Friday to pass legislation that keeps federal entities vital in the America’s national security efforts funded through FY2012 . 

Given that the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack on America is just two days awe, the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY2012, originally introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), ensures agencies like the CIA, FBI, DEA, along with the Departments of State, Defense, Energy and Justice, among others, have the capabilities to operate and continue to keep the country protected from terror threats. 

“This bill makes smart choices that will help eliminate wasteful spending while still ensuring that our intelligence community personnel have all the tools they need to keep America safe,” Deomcratic Whip Steny Hoyer said in a statement. “As we approach the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and confront new threats to the homeland, we are reminded of the challenges we face and honor the brave men and women in the intelligence community who work around the clock to protect us.”

Aside from authorizing agencies vital to the nation’s national security, the bill would require officials to provide Congress with detailed information about the mission that ultimately ended in the death of Osama bin Laden. 

UN Security Council Welcomes Bin Laden Death

The United Nations Security Council issued a statement late this afternoon, welcoming Osama Bin Laden’s death and calling on member states to increase cooperation in their fight against terrorism. 

 French Ambassador Gerrard Araud, whose country holds the presidency of the Security Council for the month of May, read the statement of behalf members in a special open session, reiterating the international community’s condemnation of Bin Laden and Al Qaeda attacks on innocent civilians around the world. 

 “The Security Council welcomes the news on May 1st 2011, that Osama Bin Laden will never be able to perpetrate such acts of terrorism. “ read Araud.

 “The Security Council recognizes this critical development and other accomplishments  made in the fight against terrorism and urges all states to remain vigilant  and intensify their efforts in the fight against terrorism.”