The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

 

Kucinich: Pentagon to Expand Spy Agency

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today warned that expanding spy agencies expand the size and cost of the federal government while encroaching on the freedom of the American people. On the House floor, Kucinich challenged the plan to expand the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency and asked what our 13 other spy agencies are up to.

See video here. The full text of Congressman Kucinich's remarks follow.

WASHINGTON

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today warned that expanding spy agencies expand the size and cost of the federal government while encroaching on the freedom of the American people. On the House floor, Kucinich challenged the plan to expand the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency and asked what our 13 other spy agencies are up to.

See video here. The full text of Congressman Kucinich's remarks follow.

"Over 12 million Americans are unemployed while our infrastructure is falling apart. But at least the U.S. is creating some jobs...for spies.

"The Washington Postsaysthe Pentagon will dramatically expand the role and size of its own personal spy agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency - the DIA. It's like the CIA, but they get their mission assignments from the Pentagon. The report says the plan includes sending 1,600 'collectors' - that is why they call their spies - all around the world. This is what the CIA does, except they are called 'agents.' The DIA doesn't have to report to Congress like the CIA does, so we would know even less than we know about situations like Benghazi.

"Why the Pentagon needs its own spy agency is anyone's guess. Maybe to keep an eye on its generals when the CIA and FBI do not? Meanwhile the CIA has been taking over Pentagon functions, conducting military strikes with drones all around the world. We have the CIA bombing people and the Pentagon spying on people. Who knows what the other DOZEN spy agencies are up to?

"Big government leads to a big national security state which leads to Big Brother getting fat on tax dollars while we have less freedom."

Dennis Kucinich is an American politician. A U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1997 to 2013, he was also a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States in 2004 and 2008.