Congressional Research Service Reports - 169 Matching Results

Search Results

prev Results: 41 - 64 next
open access

The U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions

Description: This report frames potential policy questions concerning the U.S. Secret Service's (USSS) mission and organization through an examination of the USSS history and its statutory authorities, mission, and present activities within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Date: July 31, 2008
Creator: Reese, Shawn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Set to Expire February 28, 2010

Description: The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) provides a statutory framework by which government agencies may, when gathering foreign intelligence investigation, obtain authorization to conduct electronic surveillance or physical searches, utilize pen registers and trap and trace devices, or access specified business records and other tangible things. This report discusses three sunsetting amendments of FISA which include the "Lone Wolf" provision, "roving" wiretaps, and access to business r… more
Date: March 16, 2009
Creator: Henning, Anna C. & Liu, Edward C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

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
open access

Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Set to Expire February 28, 2010

Description: The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) provides a statutory framework by which government agencies may, when gathering foreign intelligence investigation, obtain authorization to conduct electronic surveillance or physical searches, utilize pen registers and trap and trace devices, or access specified business records and other tangible things. This report discusses three sunsetting amendments of FISA which include the "Lone Wolf" provision, "roving" wiretaps, and access to business r… more
Date: January 6, 2009
Creator: Henning, Anna C. & Liu, Edward C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Congressional Oversight of Intelligence: Current Structure and Alternatives

Description: This report first describes the current select committees on intelligence and then the former Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, often cited as a model for a counterpart on intelligence. The study also sets forth proposed characteristics for a joint committee on intelligence, differences among these, and their pros and cons. The report, to be updated as events dictate, examines other actions and alternatives affecting congressional oversight in the field.
Date: May 9, 2008
Creator: Kaiser, Frederick M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Satellite Surveillance: Domestic Issues

Description: This report provides background on the development of intelligence satellites and identifies the roles various agencies play in their management and use. Issues surrounding the current policy and proposed changes are discussed, including the findings of an Independent Study Group (ISG) with respect to the increased sharing of satellite intelligence data. There follows a discussion of legal considerations, including whether satellite reconnaissance might constitute a "search" within the meaning … more
Date: June 27, 2008
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr. & Elsea, Jennifer K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Congress as a Consumer of Intelligence Information

Description: This report examines the role of Congress as a consumer of national intelligence and examines several issues that Congress might address in the 111th Congress.
Date: January 15, 2009
Creator: Cumming, Alfred
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

"Gang of Four" Congressional Intelligence Notifications

Description: This report reviews the history of Gang of Four notification process and compares this procedure with that of the "Gang of Eight" notification procedure.
Date: July 20, 2009
Creator: Cumming, Alfred
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Congressional Oversight of Intelligence: Current Structure and Alternatives

Description: This report first describes the current select committees on intelligence and then the former Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, often cited as a model for a counterpart on intelligence. The study also sets forth proposed characteristics for a joint committee on intelligence, differences among these, and their pros and cons. The report examines other actions and alternatives affecting congressional oversight in the field.
Date: September 16, 2008
Creator: Kaiser, Frederick M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Security Classification Policy and Procedure: E.O. 12958, as Amended

Description: This report describes security classification policy and procedure, largely prescribed in a series of successive presidential executive orders issued over the past 50 years. This policy provides the rationale and arrangements for designating information officially secret for reasons of national security, and for its declassification as well.
Date: June 4, 2009
Creator: Kosar, Kevin R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Security Classification Policy and Procedure: E.O. 12958, as Amended

Description: This report describes security classification policy and procedure, largely prescribed in a series of successive presidential executive orders issued over the past 50 years. This policy provides the rationale and arrangements for designating information officially secret for reasons of national security, and for its declassification as well.
Date: May 14, 2003
Creator: Relyea, Harold C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Security Classification Policy and Procedure: E.O. 12958, as Amended

Description: This report describes security classification policy and procedure, largely prescribed in a series of successive presidential executive orders issued over the past 50 years. This policy provides the rationale and arrangements for designating information officially secret for reasons of national security, and for its declassification as well.
Date: December 31, 2009
Creator: Kosar, Kevin R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

"Gang of Four" Congressional Intelligence Notifications

Description: "Gang of Four" intelligence notifications generally are oral briefings of certain particularly sensitive non-covert action intelligence activities, including principally, but not exclusively, intelligence collection programs, that the Intelligence Community typically limits to the chairmen and ranking members of the two congressional intelligence committees, and at times, but not always, to their respective staff directors. This report reviews the history of Gang of Four notification process an… more
Date: July 14, 2009
Creator: Cumming, Alfred
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

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
open access

Covert Action: Legislative Background and Possible Policy Questions

Description: Published reports have suggested that in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Pentagon has expanded its counter-terrorism intelligence activities as part of what the Bush Administration termed the global war on terror. This report discusses the Department of Defense's (DOD) various counter-terrorist intelligence activities, whether or not they constitute classification as "covert action," and the challenge of clarifying the roles and responsibilities of various intelligence activities wi… more
Date: July 6, 2009
Creator: Cumming, Alfred
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Intelligence Issues for Congress

Description: This report explores the various issues currently facing Congress in regards to intelligence and counterterrorism activities, including the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (P.L. 108-458), signed in December 2004; the position of Director of National Intelligence (DNI), which that act created; the importance of collaborative efforts between various intelligence agencies to successfully carry out counterterrorism measures; and other pieces of legislation relevant to such matters.
Date: April 20, 2009
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Intelligence Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the efforts currently underway to improve coordination and encourage better analysis amongst the various agencies within the U.S. Intelligence Community, especially with regard to the ongoing and prominent issue of international terrorism. In particular, this report addresses the false intelligence regarding Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and the current efforts in Iraq and Iran in general.
Date: July 6, 2009
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

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
open access

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
open access

Intelligence Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses legislative initiatives to address the challenges facing the U.S. Intelligence Community in the 21st century.
Date: January 25, 2007
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Homeland Security: Intelligence Support

Description: Legislation establishing a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (P.L. 107-296) included provisions for an information analysis element within the new department. It did not transfer to DHS existing government intelligence and law enforcement agencies but envisioned an analytical office utilizing the products of other agencies — both unevaluated information and finished reports — to provide warning of terrorist attacks, assessments of vulnerability, and recommendations for remedial actions at f… more
Date: February 23, 2004
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Director of National Intelligence and Intelligence Analysis

Description: The 9/11 Commission made a number of recommendations to improve the quality of intelligence analysis. A key recommendation was the establishment of a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) position to manage the national intelligence effort and serve as the principal intelligence adviser to the President — along with a separate director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Subsequently, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, P.L. 108-458, made the DNI the principal advise… more
Date: February 11, 2005
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Intelligence Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses legislative initiatives to address the challenges facing the U.S. Intelligence Community in the 21st century.
Date: July 12, 2006
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Back to Top of Screen