Thomas H.
Kean February 25, 2004
CHAIR
Lee H. Hamilton
VICE CHAIR
Richard Ben-Veniste
Fred F. Fielding
Jamie S. Gorelick
Slade Gorton
Bob Kerrey
John F. Lehman
Timothy J. Roemer
James R. Thompson
Philip D. Zelikow
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
301 7th Street SW, Room 5125
Washington, DC 20407
r 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545
www.9-11 commission.gov
The Honorable John D. Rockefeller IV
Vice Chairman
Select Committee on Intelligence
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-6475
Dear Mr. Vice Chairman:
We are writing in response to your letter of February 20, 2004, requesting the
Commission's views with respect to proposed legislation pending before the
Select Committee on Intelligence to extend the life of the Commission.
The Commission has determined, and publicly stated, that it needs more time
to complete the job that the Congress has assigned us. As you note in your
letter, we have publicly welcomed the Administration's decision to support a
two-month extension of the statutory deadline for completing the
Commission's report, along with a one-month extension of the deadline for
winding up our work. (We believe that shortening the "wind-up" period in the
statute from 60 days to 30 days is acceptable.) This represents the minimum
time that we need.
The reason for our request for an additional two months to complete our
report to the President and the Congress (and the public) may be simply
stated: The Commission's hard-working staff has told us that that is the
minimum time necessary to complete its work. The Commission and its staff
have reviewed more than two million pages of documents and completed
almost 1,000 interviews. We are in the process of conducting important
public hearings, which will have to be scaled back if the deadline is not
extended. Failure to extend the deadline will also impair our staffs ability to
follow up on important leads derived from our interviews and review of
documents.
The Commission's budget needs are roughly $1 million a month, so the
additional budget authority we request is $1 million.
26 Federal Plaza
Suite 13-100
New York, NY 10278
T 212.264.1505 F 212.264.1595
The Honorable John D. Rockefeller IV
February 25, 2004
Page 2

Finally, we emphasize that it is critical for the Congress to act as soon as

possible on this legislation. Until the Congress acts, we must proceed on the
assumption that the current statutory deadlines will remain in effect.

Thank you for your interest and support.

With best regards,

Thomas H. Kean Lee H. Hamilton

Chair Vice Chair
 FEB.24.2004 4:58PM INTELLIGENCE COMM NO.742 P.2
PAT ROBERTS, KANSAS, CHAIRMAN
JOHN 0. ROCKEFELLER, IV, WEST VIR6INIA. VICE CHAIRMAN

OBfllN G. HATCH, UTAH CAflL LEVIN, MICHIGAN

MIKE DEWNE, OHIO DlANNC EINSTEIN, CALIFORNIA
SSC102004-0889
CHRISTOPHEfl 6 BOND, MISSOURI
TRENT LOTT, MISSISSIPPI
OLYMPIA J, SNOWE, MAINS
CHUCK HACCL, NEBRASKA
SAXBVeHAMSLISS, OEORQIA
RON WYDEN, OREGON
RieHARBJ.OUH BIN, ILLINOIS
EVAN BAYH, INDIANA
JOHN EDWARDS, MOUTH CAROLINA
BARBARA A. MIKULSKI, MARYLAND
Hnitcd States Senate
jOfifJW, WABNER.VIRSNIA SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE
WASHINGTON, DC20S10-«47S
sin FHiGT, TENNESSEE, ex OFRCIO
THOMAS A. DASCHLE. SOUTH OAKOTA, EX OrFICIO

BILL DUHNKE, STAFF DIRECTOR February 20, 2004

CHRISTOPHER K, MELLON, MINORITY STAFF DIRECTOR
KATHLEEN P, MCSHEE, CHIEF CLERK

The Honorable Thomas H. Kean, Chair

The Honorable Lee H. Hamilton, Vice Chair
National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
3017th Street, SW
Room 5152
Washington, D.C. 20407

DearNfe

As you know, S. 2040, a bill to extend the life of the National Commission on
Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, has been referred to the Select Committee on
Intelligence. As introduced, the bill would amend the Intelligence Authorization Act for
FY 2003 to extend the time for the Commission's final report from no later than May 27,
2004 to no later than January 10, 2005. S. 2040 would also provide additional funding
authorization for the Commission in the amount of $6,000,000.

I am. aware of your February 4, 2004 public statement welcoming the

Administration's support for a 60-day extension. In that release, you stated that the
Commission plans to release its public report not later than July 26 and conclude business
by August 25, 2004. The 30-day period for winding down and terminating the
Commission, proposed in your statement, is faster than the schedule in the Intelligence
Authori2ation Act, which would allow for 60 days after submission of the final report.

For the purpose of this Committee's consideration of S. 2040, 1 would appreciate

learning directly from you exactly how much time and additional budgetary authority the
Commission is requesting, the reasons for those requests, and the Commission's need for
prompt action by the Congress. I look forward to receiving a letter from you, which I will
of course share with the entire Committee, at your earliest opportunity.

Sincerely,

John l. Rockefeller IV
Vice Chairman