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Senate Passes Intel Authorization in Omnibus Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday May 4, 2017

WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate approved the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Year 2017 as part of the omnibus spending bill.  The IAA represents a bipartisan effort by the Senate and House Intelligence Committees to authorize the activities of the United States Intelligence Community and to ensure continued robust Congressional oversight of critical programs.  

“The passage of the Intelligence Authorization Act is necessary for Congress to maintain vigorous oversight of the Intelligence Community’s activities and I am pleased that the FY17 IAA will be presented to the President for his signature,” said Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. “I now look forward to continuing our ongoing efforts to provide the intelligence agencies the tools and resources they need to keep us safe at home and abroad.”

"This represents the eighth consecutive year of enactment of an Intelligence Authorization Act to provide the Intelligence Community with the resources and authorities it needs to defend our Nation, as well as to provide robust bipartisan oversight by the legislative branch,” said Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. “The bill continues to push the Intelligence Community to capitalize on the revolution in space capabilities to ensure our satellite collection capabilities are resilient, innovative, and take full advantage of the nation’s expanding commercial space sector. I’d also like to thank Sen. Dianne Feinstein for her critical role in developing this bill, which began in the 114th Congress when she was Vice Chairman."

Intelligence Authorization Act for FY17

Some of the key provisions accomplish the following:

• Requires the President to establish an interagency committee to counter Russian active measures.
• Promotes the hiring, further education, and retention of employees with science, technology, engineering, or math expertise.
• Encourages a greater focus on, and utilization of, Research and Development within the Intelligence Community.

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