FBI Director Confident Bureau is headed in the Right Direction

The House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies interrogated FBI Director Robert Mueller on a number of issues pertaining to the progress of his department. Issues covered during the hearing were the FBI’s fiscal year 2009 budget request, the progress the FBI has made in counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and cyber security, and the methods the department uses to carry out their wide-spanning activities.

Mueller’s comments were met with both criticism and support by the members of Congress making up the panel conducting the hearing. The hearing was chaired by Congressman Obey (D-WI) who was particularly critical of the methodology used by the FBI to interrogate alleged criminals, and of the expensive budget Mueller hopes to receive.

Mueller’s defense of the large budget requested by the FBI was that the bureau needs money to recruit and train new employees, as well as to efficiently protect America. Director Mueller mentioned that the FBI is trying to crackdown on “white collar crime” and maintained that his department conducts its business legally.