A lot of the things that we've been able to do in the last several years were Democratic ideas, including the structure for this new director of national intelligence.

In this quote, Jane Harman, a former U.S. Congresswoman, acknowledges the contributions of Democratic ideas in shaping key aspects of U.S. policy, specifically the creation of the position of director of national intelligence (DNI). She asserts that many significant changes in national security, including the restructuring of intelligence oversight, were based on proposals or frameworks initially developed by the Democratic Party. Harman is emphasizing the role of the Democratic vision in driving reforms within the U.S. intelligence community.

Harman's reference to the director of national intelligence highlights a specific reform in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, which exposed significant gaps in the coordination of U.S. intelligence agencies. The creation of the DNI was a major reform aimed at improving the integration and oversight of intelligence gathering. By crediting Democratic ideas with this achievement, Harman is acknowledging the party's leadership in pushing for greater accountability and efficiency in national security efforts, which were critical in preventing future attacks.

The origin of this quote lies in Harman's active role in the House Intelligence Committee, where she was instrumental in advocating for reforms to U.S. intelligence practices. As someone deeply involved in national security policy, she was in a position to witness and contribute to the shaping of the intelligence community in the post-9/11 era. Her words reflect her belief in the importance of collaboration and the necessity of intelligence reforms, which were partly influenced by Democratic-led initiatives.

Ultimately, Harman’s quote highlights the impact of bipartisan policy and the value of ideas from all sides in improving U.S. intelligence. By recognizing Democratic contributions to national security reforms, she emphasizes the importance of collaboration in addressing complex issues like intelligence oversight. The creation of the DNI serves as a testament to the effectiveness of policy driven by thoughtful ideas aimed at better protecting the nation.