Rogers: More Funds for U.S. Intel

The Hill reports:

The House Intelligence Committee chairman said on Wednesday that Congress must not cut — but rather boost — funding for U.S. intelligence agencies in the wake of Osama bin Laden’s killing, insisting now is the time to “break” al Qaeda’s back.

Rep. Mike Rogers (Mich.), one of the few lawmakers kept apprised of the covert Navy SEALs mission in the days prior to it, called the killing of bin Laden a victory, but cautioned against becoming complacent or overconfident.

U.S. intelligence organizations, he said, are still growing their capabilities.

“Al Qaeda is alive and well; they are hurt; they are damaged. Their inspirational and operational leader has been taken off the battlefield, which is a huge opportunity for us,” Rogers said, speaking to the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. “This is the time to step on the gas and break their back.”

Rogers said U.S. intelligence agencies – such as the Central Intelligence Agency, the office of the Director of National Intelligence and the National Security Agency  – have made great strides at gathering, analyzing, and sharing intelligence in the decade since 9/11. But he said much work remains.

And while troubled U.S. economy provides a reason for fiscal restraint, Rogers said cutting back intelligence budgets would turn back the progress made so far.