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White House Threatens Veto of Intelligence Bill

Thursday, 17 July 2008

The White House expressed strong opposition to the Fiscal Year 2009
Intelligence Authorization Act that is pending before the House of
Representatives today, in part because it includes provisions for
increased disclosure of classified information to the congressional
intelligence oversight committees.

One of the provisions, the White House complained, "would withhold 75
percent of requested funding for covert action programs until the
Administration provides much greater access to highly sensitive
national security information to all members of the congressional
intelligence committees."

"Such a provision is inconsistent with the statute that expressly
authorizes limited notice to Congress in exceptional cases and would
undermine the fundamental compact between the Congress and the
President on reporting highly sensitive intelligence matters -- an
arrangement that for decades has balanced congressional oversight
responsibility with the need to protect intelligence information," the
White House said.

The President's advisors would recommend a veto if "any" of the
objectionable provisions were adopted, today's statement said.

See "Statement of Administration Policy on Intelligence Authorization
Act for FY 2009," July 16:

http://www.fas.org/irp/news/2008/07/wh071608.pdf

Reprinted from the Secrecy News Blog with permission.

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