Washington, D.C. – Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto), a senior member of the Intelligence Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management, issued the following statement after the passage of H.R.2701, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010:

“After five long years we will soon have an Intelligence Authorization Bill enacted into law. Passage of this Act will reassert Congress’ role in the oversight of our nation’s intelligence agencies. We have a special duty to oversee intelligence activities because our nation’s security is at stake.

“As Chair of the Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management, I’ve had a particular interest in Congressional oversight and the tools to improve it. This bill contains many provisions that will improve congressional oversight of intelligence activities.

“First, the bill requires the DNI to establish procedures to allow GAO access to intelligence community information. This provision will clarify the guidelines under which GAO may audit the intelligence community, while recognizing that GAO, on behalf of the intelligence committees, has authority to do so.

“The new DNI Clapper noted the value of GAO studies during his confirmation hearing. This provision will give him the opportunity to live up to his words.

“Second, the bill modifies statutory authorization for the so-called ‘Gang of Eight’ procedure, and raises the threshold for this limited notification. It requires that the President inform all Members of the intelligence committees that a ‘Gang of Eight’ briefing has occurred and provide a “general description” of that briefing. All Committee Members will receive a full briefing six months after the Gang of Eight briefing unless the President continues to certify that “extraordinary circumstances” still exist that require a limited briefing.

“Finally, the bill creates a statutory and independent inspector general for the Intelligence Community, with all the investigative powers to look into all intelligence community programs and report to Congress. This will provide a much needed new tool for oversight, particularly on increasingly critical issues related to coordination between intelligence agencies.

“This bill strengthens the prerogatives of Congress.”

Having passed the House, the legislation will now be sent to the President’s desk for his signature.

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