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Managing America: Military

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Week Ending January 12, 2006

H.RES.35 To enhance intelligence oversight authority.

A new panel called the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel that will focus on spending issues for intelligence operations is created in this Resolution.

The Panel will continuously review and study  budget requests for and execution of intelligence activities, make recommendations to relevant subcommittees of the Committee on Appropriations and annually prepare a report to the Defense Subcommittee containing budgetary and oversight observations and recommendations for putting together the classified annex to the Department of Defense Appropriations bill.

The Panel will have 13 members appointed by the Speaker of the House from the House Membership, delegates or the Resident Commissioner. No more than eight members can be from the same political party. Included are the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations, six members from the Appropriations Committee Defense Subcommittee and three members from the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

The Resolution does not appear to give subpoena power to the Panel but notes that an Appropriations Committee or Defense Subcommittee subpoena may specify returns to the Panel.

Sponsor:  Rep. David R. Obey (D-WI-7^th)

Vote: Passed House 239 to 188 (RC-13). A Motion to Recommit the bill with instructions failed 195 to 232  (RC-12) January 9, 2007.

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost. Funds for the panel must be appropriated and are likely to come from appropriations for the House of Representatives later this year.

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