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The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is currently holding a hearing: "Administration Proposals on Climate Change & Energy Independence."

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On April 16, a group of 11 retired three-star and four-star generals and admirals issued a report entitled, "National Security and the Threat of Climate Change." This report concluded that global warming "presents significant national security challenges to the United States." It focuses on how climate change "can act as a threat multiplier for instability in some of the most volatile regions of the world." The Intelligence Authorization bill follows the recommendations of these 11 retired generals and admirals by requesting the National Intelligence Council (NIC) to produce a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on the national security impact of climate change. The NIC is already producing a community assessment on this topic, and this provision simply requires that the assessment be elevated to a formal NIE.

Tonight, the House is considering HR 2082, the FY 2008 Intelligence Authorization. The bill strengthens intelligence by adding funds to both CIA and military elements for Human Intelligence (HUMINT) training, investing in language training for intelligence collectors and analysts in language translation capabilities, adding funding for sending additional intelligence analysts overseas, and investing in strengthening counterintelligence field operations. The bill promotes efficiency and effectiveness in intelligence programs, by streamlining acquisition, trimming the fat from ineffective programs, eliminating redundant activities, and requiring greater strategic focus in some key areas.

The House has passed the Iraq Accountability Act, 221-205.

Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha closed debate:

Rep. Murtha: "I have seen young people that came back from Iraq that are having a hard time adjusting, and they weren't in the heaviest contact. The psychologists that came before the committee said to me, three months in this situation is a long time. Three months they start getting post-traumatic stress. Predictions are we'll have 65,000 Americans, not Iraqis, Americans, that are going to have post-traumatic stress. You wonder why we want to bring this to an end?"

The House is currently debating the revised Iraq Accountability Act (HR 2206) which supports our troops and holds President Bush and the Iraqi government accountable. This bill requires the President to confront the realities of the Iraq war and take account of the facts on the ground. It fully funds the troops over the next two-three months -- ensuring that they have everything they need to conduct their mission. It appropriates $42.8 billion immediately and requires the President to report to Congress in July, guaranteeing two votes by Congress, to determine if a second installment of requested funding is released.

Speaker Pelosi:

Today, during a Telecommunications and the Internet hearing entitled "Digital Future of the United States: Part V: The Future of Video," Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey demonstrated the future of video by filming the first ever YouTube video from the Chairman's perspective. Watch:

More on the hearing>>