FBI Analysts Association Calls for Solution to Avoid Damaging Cuts to National Security

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The FBI Intelligence Analysts Association (FBI IAA) calls on the nation’s leaders to work together to end sequestration. If it continues and furloughs go into effect, the FBI and other national security and law enforcement agencies will be hindered from protecting the American people.

“the most important resource we have in the intelligence community is our people… and we simply can't separate the people from the mission.”

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III advised Congress the cuts will require the FBI to do less in all programs, including counterterrorism, cyber attacks, foreign intelligence, and national and transnational criminal activities. Approximately 7000 fewer FBI employees will defend the nation daily, in addition to the 2275 positions—including 275 Intelligence Analysts—that will remain vacant at the end of the year. Mueller also warned, “the FBI is already operating on funding levels below the amount needed to maintain current services in 2013… [which undercuts] the investments made by Congress in previous years to transform and build the FBI's national security, intelligence, and criminal investigative capabilities … commensurate with the threats facing the Nation.”

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James Clapper publicly stated the size and impact of these cuts on key collection and analysis programs will create “an immediate national security crisis situation,” and risk the “potential to miss the early signs of a threat.” The FBI IAA supports DNI Clapper’s statement that “the most important resource we have in the intelligence community is our people… and we simply can't separate the people from the mission."

FBI Intelligence Analysts are driven by their duty to serve and protect the American people. They serve alongside FBI Agents and other intelligence and law enforcement professionals, playing a key role in predicting, preventing, detecting, and disrupting an array of national security and criminal threats, to include: terrorism, cyber intrusion, espionage, WMD proliferation, public corruption, and organized and violent crimes. Many FBI analysts and their colleagues bring such unique and specialized expertise to their programs and regions that obstructing their daily contributions will adversely impact the FBI's ability to mitigate these threats.

About the FBI Intelligence Analysts Association

The FBI IAA serves as a strong, independent advocate for the professional interests of over 3000 FBI Intelligence Analysts and champions the FBI’s transformation into an intelligence-led organization.