House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes has introduced the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (H.R. 6393) in the House of Representatives.
This bipartisan legislation provides the Intelligence Community authorization needed to protect and defend the United States. It is similar to H.R. 5077, which passed the House in May 2016 by a 371-35 margin, and also reflects negotiations with the Senate. The bill supports critical national security programs such as those protecting Americans against terrorism and cyberattacks. Among other things, the legislation:
Sustains critical capabilities to fight terrorism and counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Shines a light on Guantanamo transfers by requiring declassification reviews of intelligence on past terrorist activities of individuals transferred out of Guantanamo Bay.
Strengthens Congressional oversight of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) by setting authorization requirements for the PCLOB and directing PCLOB to keep Congress fully informed of its activities in a timely way.
Caps fees for mandatory declassification reviews to match costs of similar Freedom of Information Act requests.
Updates Intelligence Community whistleblowing procedures.
Clarifies eligibility for death benefits for Central Intelligence Agency personnel.
Improves Intelligence Community reporting to Congress.
