Gottheimer, Stefanik to co-chair House review of 9/11 Commission Report ahead of 25th anniversary
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., have been appointed co-chairs of a bipartisan House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence review of the 9/11 Commission Report, lawmakers announced Thursday.
The review, launched in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, will evaluate progress made on intelligence-related recommendations first issued by the 9/11 Commission in 2004. It will also identify remaining gaps and potential improvements in the nation’s intelligence posture.
Over the next year, the committee plans to hold hearings, briefings, and events — both public and classified — to inform a report of findings and recommendations. The report is expected to be released in the days leading up to the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
Officials said the review will assess how well the Intelligence Community has implemented reforms in the past two decades, while also examining its readiness to confront new and emerging threats. Among the most significant post-9/11 reforms was the creation of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to coordinate agencies and strengthen information sharing.
“Twenty-four years after 9/11, we are still living with its aftermath — especially in New Jersey, where we lost hundreds of loved ones, friends, and first responders,” Gottheimer said in a statement. “Our work remains unfinished. I will continue working across the aisle to honor the lives lost, support victims’ families, and strengthen our nation’s defenses.”
Stefanik called it “an honor” to co-chair the review. “It is important that the intelligence community is equipped to counter terrorism over the next 25 years amid a quickly evolving landscape,” she said.
House Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford, R-Ark., said the review is an opportunity to ensure the U.S. intelligence community remains “one step ahead of our rapidly evolving adversaries.” Ranking Member Jim Himes, D-Conn., added that the bipartisan effort will allow Congress to “identify additional areas for improvement” while honoring the memory of the victims.
