Number: RL32617
Title: A Perspective on Congresss Oversight Function
Authors: Walter J. Oleszek, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: In the wake of the final report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (commonly called the 9/11 Commission), which declared that Congresss oversight of the intelligence community is dysfunctional, there is heightened interest on Capitol Hill to strengthen legislative review of the intelligence community. This report provides a general overview of the core characteristics of congressional oversight and Congresss changing relationship with the intelligence community, including an identification of issues that make oversight of intelligence agencies different from monitoring other federal entities. The report ends with several summary observations.
Pages: 14
Date: December 23, 2004