HOUSE-SENATE PANEL POISED TO CREATE INTELLIGENCE R&D COMMISSION
House-Senate conference committee is expected to submit report today (Oct. 7) on legislation authorizing FY 2003 govt.-wide Intelligence agency funding, paving way for creation of blue ribbon panel to unify intelligence research and development initiatives. Both houses in recent months passed HR-4628 and S-2506, respectively, and each bill contained language to establish National Commission for Review of R&D Programs of U.S. Intelligence Community. Commission would be given task of reviewing R&D programs of agencies such as CIA, National Security Agency and National Reconnaissance Office, with goal of identifying “scientific and technological fields” most important to intelligence gathering, such as satellite-based communications and signals-intelligence collection systems.
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Panel would identify such fields in order to assess how effectively resources are allocated throughout intelligence community and other federal entities. It would evaluate relationships among R&D programs of intelligence and other federal agencies, as well as those with R&D activities of private sector. Upon completion of review, commission would assess “advisability of modifying the scope” of such initiatives “to ensure a unified and coherent [R&D] program across the entire intelligence community,” according to Senate Intelligence Committee report.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chmn. Graham (D-Fla.) said there’s critical need to address deficiencies in human intelligence, but there’s equal need to upgrade nation’s technology-based spying infrastructure. He said Sept. 25 on Senate floor that creating new commission is critical to these efforts, since R&D “supports virtually all other intelligence community efforts by laying the groundwork for the necessary modernization and innovation of intelligence capabilities.”
Commission members would include 10 private sector experts and members of Congress who are “nationally recognized” for roles in: (1) R&D programs. (2) Technology “discovery and insertion.” (3) Use of intelligence data by policy-makers or military leaders. (4) Implementation, funding or oversight of national security policies. Senate Majority Leader and House Speaker each would appoint one member from their respective body and 2 from private sector. Senate and House minority leaders each would appoint one member from their respective body and one from private sector. Appointment of 2 co-chmn. -- one Republican, one Democrat -- must be jointly agreed upon by congressional leadership.
Deputy Dir. of Central Intelligence (DCI) for Community Management, who would be 11th commissioner, would be authorized to transfer $2 million from DCI account for panel functions. Other federal entities may provide panel with “such services, funds, facilities, staff and other support as such departments and agencies consider advisable and as may be authorized by law.” Dept. of Defense could provide, “on a nonreimbursable basis, administrative services, staff, and other support services” if requested. House and Senate bills would enable panel “to procure the services of experts and consultants” to assist in its mission. Commission also would have power to hold hearings and issue subpoenas for witnesses and documents.