HOUSE APPROVES 2009 INTELLIGENCE BILL DESPITE VETO THREAT
The House of Representatives yesterday overwhelmingly approved its
version of the Fiscal Year 2009 intelligence authorization act,
including new requirements that the executive branch provide more
complete briefings for all members of the intelligence oversight
committees. The White House threatened a veto if that and other
provisions were enacted (Secrecy News, July 16).
"This bill is about ensuring the proper oversight of our nation's
intelligence agencies and that the administration complies with the law
requiring Congress be kept fully and currently informed," said Rep. Pete
Hoekstra (R-MI). "There may be concerns with the bill, but I am not sure
they rise to the veto level unless the objection is to proper
oversight."
"I am very glad that 75 percent of the dollars for covert action have
been fenced [until reporting requirements are fulfilled]," said Rep.
Anna Eshoo (D-CA). "In other words, no notification from the
administration and from the intelligence community, no money. And
that's the way it should be."
"As someone who sat through countless hours of Intelligence Committee
hearings and briefings, I have been appalled by the unwillingness and
outright stonewalling of the Bush Administration when Members have
asked even the most basic of questions about our intelligence community
policies and practices," said Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL).
"I think it would be sufficient to say that this administration has
taken a cavalier attitude toward its legal obligations to keep the
committees fully and currently informed," said Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ).
http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2008_cr/h071608.htmlThe floor debate also addressed funding for space surveillance systems,
said by some to be inadequate, and the role of contractors in
intelligence activities.