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“SECURITY BREACH AT LOS ALAMOS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Senate section on pages S4980 on June 13, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SECURITY BREACH AT LOS ALAMOS
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, America awakened in the last 24 hours to another very distressing disclosure of an alleged breach of security practices at the Los Alamos Laboratory, again relating to what is the greatest threat every hour, every minute of the day to this Nation; that is, from nuclear weapons. We are not here to prejudge any facts at the moment.
From the standing rules of the Senate, rule XXV, I read:
The Committee on the Armed Services has jurisdiction over national security aspects of nuclear energy.
Clearly, this problem falls within our domain. As chairman, in consultation with the ranking member, we will move very swiftly. We will establish a hearing date as soon as we can to develop those facts that can be publicly disclosed and such facts as must remain classified. The Armed Services Committee has dealt with this issue for over a year. In the authorization last year, we had a hard fought debate on this floor about establishing a new entity within the Department of Energy. Indeed, we did it. It was signed into law, and it is ready to go.
Our committee also has jurisdiction over the nominees to head this new entity. I refer the Senate to item 1010 in Nominations, Gen. John H. Gordon, United States Air Force, to be Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, Department of Energy. That was May 24.
I am writing a letter to the majority leader today and, indeed, to the distinguished Democratic leader, asking that this nomination be brought up immediately. There are allegations that certain Senators think that the law that was passed last year has to be changed. That is a matter that can be brought up before the Senate at any time. But I do not think this Nation should sit 1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day longer on the nomination of this outstanding American, who has impeccable credentials, to take over this whole problem of security in the Department of Energy and is waiting to do so. Let us act on this nomination. I am certain the distinguished majority leader, in consultation with the Democratic leader, will move to see that this is done at the earliest opportunity. I hope it is done today.
I will advise the Senate later today with regard to the hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
This is a matter of serious concern. At the hearing, we intend to call Secretary Richardson, General Habiger, who is the Chief of Security Operations, and Mr. Ed Curran, Chief of Counterintelligence. It may or may not be a counterintelligence matter. We don't want to prejudge the facts. But action is needed by this body, first on the nomination, and then to look into this situation. There is nothing that poses a greater threat to the United States of America, indeed, to our allies, than that from nuclear weapons.
It is ironic. This particular alleged security breach is basically in the same location of the previous incident involving Wen Ho Lee, as I understand it, probably the same floor, same corridor. We have testimony in the record, which I will add to the record, of the Secretary of Energy, who has appeared repeatedly before the committees of the Congress. This incident is clearly on Secretary Richardson's watch; let there be no mistake about that. He has repeatedly advised the Congress that he has put in place such regulations and other measures as to protect the United States, protect this Department from such alleged security breaches it faces this morning.
Mr. President, I am speaking after consultation, of course, with the majority leader's office and Senators Domenici and Kyl, who have worked with me on this matter for some 18 months.
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