Senator Mikulski Applauds Senate Passage of Intelligence Reform Legislation

Bill includes Mikulski provisions for greater accountability and congressional oversight and to strengthen cyber espionage and cyber-crime fighting capabilities

17-Sep-2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), today announced Senate passage of the fiscal year 2010 Intelligence Authorization bill. This critical legislation contains key provisions supported by Senator Mikulski that enhance oversight and accountability of our nation’s intelligence community.

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Senator Mikulski, working with Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), co-sponsored a provision that requires regular and frequent compliance reporting by Inspectors General on how our nation’s cyber security programs are performing.

“As we continue taking steps to improve our ability to detect, deter, and prevent cyber-espionage and cyber-crime, we must have a rigorous and comprehensive oversight regime in place,” Senator Mikulski said.

Also included in the legislation is a provision that establishes an independent, objective Inspector General for the entire intelligence community. This would allow the Inspector General to look across the totality of the U.S. intelligence community and would help improve coordination, cooperation and information sharing among our intelligence agencies.

“The intelligence community needs an effective watchdog,” Senator Mikulski said. “A strong, independent and objective Inspector General is vital to achieving the goal of improving the operations and effectiveness of the intelligence community.”

Senator Mikulski authored an amendment unanimously adopted by the committee that promotes accountability in the intelligence community by requiring directors of the National Security Agency (NSA), the National Geo-Spatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Currently, three of the most important intelligence community officials are the directors of technical intelligence collection agencies. Yet by current law and practice, they are neither subject to Senate confirmation hearings, nor do they receive scrutiny from SSCI. Senator Mikulski’s provision makes all three Senate-confirmable.

“We must be able to evaluate the suitability of individuals nominated for key positions, we must consent to the nominations, and we must establish and cultivate good working relationships with those who are confirmed,” Senator Mikulski said. “This proposal will reinforce the prospects for accountability and review.”

Finally, the bill establishes a National Space Intelligence Office (NSIO), which Senator Mikulski strongly supports. The NSIO will be located in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and will ensure that space intelligence is a key part of intelligence analysis, collection requirements and intelligence priorities.

“For years, I’ve highlighted the importance of integrating space and intelligence,” Senator Mikulski said. “Establishing a National Space Intelligence Office goes a long way to making the intelligence community more effectively address the intersection of space and intelligence issues.”

Source: Senator Barbara A. Mikulski