WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement on the passing of Mike Beck, a counterintelligence officer who was the victim of an Anomalous Health Incident (AHI) in 1996.  

“I am deeply saddened by the news of Mike Beck’s passing. His family reached out directly to us on Saturday afternoon to share the devastating news. We seek to give them the privacy they need. Our prayers are with his wife and all his loved ones in this difficult time. Mike served his nation admirably, and in his time of great need, the nation he gave so much to turned its back on him for too long.  

“My team and I had the privilege of working with the Beck family to address some of the issues with his care. It has been clear that the IC’s handling of Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs) has been deeply flawed, failing the brave men and women who have served our country across the globe.  

“We must correct the way we have treated some of our bravest. I continue to stand by my original statements that the intelligence community assessment (ICA) used to discredit these individuals and impede their medical care was developed in a manner inconsistent with analytic integrity standards.  

“I am now calling for its immediate recall. ICAs carry a great deal of weight, particularly when declassified as part of a public messaging effort, as was done with the AHI ICA. This flawed document has caused serious harm to some of our nation’s bravest.   

“For those out there asking whether we are still working this issue or have given up: the Committee’s investigation into the IC’s handling of the AHI challenge continues. Over the last few months, our team has conducted an additional 17 transcribed interviews or depositions, met with senior administration officials, and issued the first criminal referral of the three-year investigation. We will not stop until oversight has effectively corrected all issues identified pursuant to the investigation.  

“I continue to thank the many IC whistleblowers and witnesses who have come forward with documents and information to inform this effort. I call on anyone with additional information to come forward to the Committee so that we can ensure the U.S. government corrects its handling of such incidents moving forward.  

“Lastly, I am aware of public comments from Director Gabbard on this issue and media reporting on the ODNI’s efforts on AHI. The Director’s consistently clear and principled professionalism in her handling of multiple similarly complex issues is evident in her handling of this challenge. I am fully confident she will continue to restore analytic integrity standards to the IC as she has done so with all her efforts since assuming this role.”  

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