Number: RL32659
Title: Consolidating Intelligence Appropriation and Authorizing a Single Committee: 9/11 Commission Recommendations and Alternatives
Authors: Sandy Streeter, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: This report focuses on the commissions second proposal, to consolidate appropriation and authorization functions in the existing Senate and House Select Intelligence Committees. The report (1) describes the proposal; (2) compares it to the existing committee system; (3) describes a 19th century precedent for consolidation; (4) provides selected arguments in favor of consolidation as well as against; (5) discusses two alternatives to consolidating authorization and appropriation functions: a Joint Committee on Intelligence and separate intelligence appropriations subcommittees in the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations; and (6) describes current legislation.
Pages: 19
Date: October 29, 2004