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Intelligence Spending: Public Disclosure Issues

Description: This report describes the constituent parts of the intelligence budget, past practice in handling intelligence authorizations and appropriations, the arguments that have been advanced for and against making intelligence spending totals public, a legal analysis of these issues, and a review of the implications of post-Cold War developments on the question. It also describes past congressional interest in keeping intelligence spending totals secret.
Date: February 15, 2007
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr. & Bazan, Elizabeth B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Sensitive Covert Action Notifications: Oversight Options for Congress

Description: With Congress considering a possible change regarding sensitive covert action policy, this memorandum describes the statutory provision authorizing Gang of Eight notifications, reviews the legislative history of the provision, and examine both the impact of such notifications on congressional oversight as well as options that Congress might consider to possibly improve oversight.
Date: July 7, 2009
Creator: Cumming, Alfred
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction: Establishment and Composition

Description: This report analyzes the establishment and organizational requirements set forth in the presidential mandate, and its relationship to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FAFCA). On March 31, 2005, the commission submitted its final report to the President, which contained 74 recommendations for reforming the U.S. intelligence community.
Date: March 31, 2005
Creator: Smith, Stephanie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: An Overview of Selected Issues

Description: This report briefly outlines some of the perspectives reflected in the ongoing debate related to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) focusing on three issues: tension between national security and civil liberties, collection of foreign intelligence information from foreign persons, and limitations on liability for telecommunications providers furnishing aid to the government.
Date: July 7, 2008
Creator: Bazan, Elizabeth B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Intelligence Authorization Legislation: Status and Challenges

Description: This report assesses the effects of the absence of intelligence authorization legislation since FY2005. Since FY2005, no annual intelligence authorization bill has been enacted. Although the National Security Act requires intelligence activities to be specifically authorized, this requirement has been satisfied in recent years by one-sentence catch-all provisions in defense appropriations acts authorizing intelligence activities.
Date: August 26, 2009
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Intelligence Authorization Legislation: Status and Challenges

Description: This report assesses the effects of the absence of intelligence authorization legislation since FY2005. Since FY2005, no annual intelligence authorization bill has been enacted. Although the National Security Act requires intelligence activities to be specifically authorized, this requirement has been satisfied in recent years by one-sentence catch-all provisions in defense appropriations acts authorizing intelligence activities.
Date: February 24, 2009
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Homeland Security Intelligence: Perceptions, Statutory Definitions, and Approaches

Description: This report provides a potential conceptual model of how to frame homeland security intelligence (HSINT), including geographic, structural/statutory, and holistic approaches. Given that state, local, tribal, and private sector officials play such an important role in HSINT, the holistic model, one not constrained by geography or levels of government, strikes many as the most compelling. The report argues that there is, in effect, a Homeland Security Intelligence Community (HSIC). Although the H… more
Date: January 14, 2009
Creator: Randol, Mark A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Terrorist Financing: The 9/11 Commission Recommendation

Description: This report discusses the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the U.S. government shift the focus of its efforts to counter terrorist financing from a strategy based on seizing terrorist assets to a strategy based on exploiting intelligence gathered from financial investigations.
Date: February 25, 2005
Creator: Weiss, Martin A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The National Intelligence Council: Issues and Options for Congress

Description: This report to describe the statutory provisions that authorize the National Intelligence Council (NIC), provide a brief history of its work, and review its role within the federal government. The report will focus on congressional interaction with the NIC and describe various options for modifying congressional oversight.
Date: April 10, 2009
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Government Collection of Private Information: Background and Issues Related to the USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization

Description: This report discusses the history of constitutional interpretations and legislative responses relevant to the collection of private information for criminal investigation, foreign intelligence gathering, and national security purposes.
Date: December 9, 2009
Creator: Henning, Anna C.; Bazan, Elizabeth B.; Doyle, Charles & Liu, Edward C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Government Collection of Private Information: Background and Issues Related to the USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization

Description: This report discusses the history of constitutional interpretations and legislative responses relevant to the collection of private information for criminal investigation, foreign intelligence gathering, and national security purposes.
Date: December 23, 2009
Creator: Henning, Anna C.; Bazan, Elizabeth B.; Doyle, Charles & Liu, Edward C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The National Intelligence Council: Issues and Options for Congress

Description: The purpose of this report to describe the statutory provisions that authorize the National Intelligence Council (NIC), provide a brief history of its work, and review its role within the federal government. The report will focus on congressional interaction with the NIC and describe various options for modifying congressional oversight.
Date: September 2, 2009
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR): The U-2 Aircraft and Global Hawk UAV Programs

Description: Among airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconaissance (ISR) platforms, the U-2 Dragon Lady and the RQ-4A Global Hawk are especially valuable. This report discusses how best to use existing and planned manned and unmanned ISR aircraft to most effectively satisfy the Department of Defense's (Dod) requirements for timely and accurate information on enemy forces.
Date: December 1, 2000
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr. & Bolkcom, Christopher
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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9/11 Commission Recommendations: Intelligence Budget

Description: This report identifies the main recommendations of the 9/11 Commission with respect to the intelligence budget. This report also describes the intelligence budget process under current law to explain the effect of these recommendations and presents the current budget authorities of the Director of Central Intelligence, as well as budget provisions in two bills, S. 2774 and H.R. 5040, that include all Commission recommendations.
Date: September 27, 2004
Creator: Nicola, Thomas J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Homeland Security Intelligence: Perceptions, Statutory Definitions, and Approaches

Description: Although the activities involved in homeland security intelligence (HSINT) itself are not new, the relative importance of state, local, and private sector stakeholders; the awareness of how law enforcement information might protect national security; and the importance attached to homeland security intelligence have all increased substantially since the events of September 11, 2001. This report provides a potential conceptual model of how to frame HSINT, including geographic, structural/statuto… more
Date: August 18, 2006
Creator: Masse, Todd M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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USA PATRIOT Act Sunset: Provisions That Were to Expire on December 31, 2005

Description: This report examines various provisions of the Patriot Act that were set to expire on December 31, 2005. Their expiration date has been postponed until March 10, 2006. The expiring sections deal with the power of federal authorities to conduct searches and seizures, generally searches and seizures relating to communications.
Date: February 6, 2006
Creator: Doyle, Charles
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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USA PATRIOT Act Sunset: A Sketch

Description: This report discusses the sunset of a handful of communications-related sections of the USA PATRIOT Act and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act on March 10, 2006. The authority of the expiring sections remains in effect only as it relates to foreign intelligence investigations begun before sunset or to offenses or potential offenses begun or occurring before that date. Thereafter, the law reverts to its previous form unless it has been amended in the interim or subsequently ren… more
Date: February 6, 2006
Creator: Doyle, Charles
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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National Security Letters in Foreign Intelligence Investigations: Legal Background and Recent Amendments

Description: This report discusses the National Security Letters (NSLs), which seek customer and consumer transaction information in national security investigations from communications providers, financial institutions, and credit agencies.
Date: September 8, 2009
Creator: Doyle, Charles
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Department of Homeland Security Intelligence Enterprise: Operational Overview and Oversight Challenges for Congress

Description: This report provides an overview of Department of Homeland Security Intelligence (DHSI) both at headquarters and within the components. It examines how DHSI is organized and supports key departmental activities to include homeland security analysis and threat warning; border security; critical infrastructure protection; and support to, and the sharing of information with, state, local, tribal, and private sector partners. It also discusses several oversight challenges and options that Congress … more
Date: May 27, 2009
Creator: Randol, Mark A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Encryption Export Controls

Description: This report discusses encryption export controls, beginning with background on the development and use of encryption, and continuing with a description of export controls imposed under the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the Export Administration Act (EAA); a discussion of recent federal court rulings in First Amendment challenges to AECA and EAA regulations; and a summary of 106th Congress legislation aimed at liberalizing law and policy affecting encryption exports.
Date: January 11, 2001
Creator: Grimmett, Jeanne J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Intelligence Issues for Congress

Description: To address the challenges facing the U.S. Intelligence Community in the 21st century, congressional and executive branch initiatives have sought to improve coordination among the different agencies and to encourage better analysis. In December 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act was signed, providing for a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with substantial authorities to manage the national intelligence effort. Making cooperation effective presents substantial leade… more
Date: July 12, 2006
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Domestic Intelligence in the United Kingdom: Applicability of the MI-5 Model to the United States

Description: This paper summarizes pending legislation relating to domestic intelligence, briefly explains the jurisdiction and functions of MI-5, and describes some of the factors that may be relevant to a discussion regarding the applicability of the MI-5 domestic intelligence model to the United States.
Date: May 19, 2003
Creator: Masse, Todd M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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