Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the below statement following a closed FY2026 budget posture hearing with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and the Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security Dustin Gard-Weis.

“I appreciate DNI Gabbard and Mr. Gard-Weiss’ testimony before the Committee today. As the respective leads for our nation’s intelligence community and military intelligence apparatus, we do not take lightly the responsibility to ensure these agencies have the resources to stay three steps ahead of the threats of tomorrow. We are now witnessing a threat environment where adversarial nation-state actors are teaming up in a shared ambition to displace the United States as a global leader. The most pervasive and aggressive being China. We cannot beat China by being China. One key aspect to fighting back is to adopt a much more intensive counterintelligence posture, which our Committee members reiterated today.

“Additionally, as the lead of the collective IC, it is imperative that the ODNI gives OSINT the focus, resources, and attention it warrants to be a primary discipline. OSINT has evolved dramatically, augmenting HUMINT and SIGINT efforts to play a central role in real-time analysis and supporting tactical operations. We regularly hear of the immense value OSINT brings to intelligence efforts. Now, we must commit to a larger strategy to mature and streamline the OSINT tradecraft.

“Lastly, as I mentioned to DNI Gabbard today, our Committee has had serious concerns with the acting IC IG’s consistent pattern of misconduct, evidenced by information we have received, and has been a focus of our investigative efforts. I look forward to continuing to engage with DNI Gabbard and Ranking Member Himes to ensure the IC IG is in fact fulfilling its statutory responsibility. Anything less impedes oversight.”

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