WSJ: Pelosi Plans Panel to Oversee Spy-Agency Funds

[DeepModem Mom]

Pelosi Plans Panel to Oversee Spy-Agency Funds
'Hybrid' Committee Spans Oversight and Budget Work, Fulfilling 9/11 Panel's Call
By DAVID ROGERS
December 14, 2006; Page A3



WASHINGTON -- Incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi is moving to establish a new House intelligence oversight committee that will have unusual authority over funding for the nation's major spy agencies.

The California Democrat said she hopes to break a logjam that for two years has stymied recommendations by the 9/11 Commission, which argued that Congress must strengthen oversight of U.S. intelligence agencies by drawing a close link between oversight and funding.

The membership of the new panel, Ms. Pelosi said in an interview, would be a "hybrid" drawn from the House Intelligence and Appropriations committees, and serve as a bridge of sorts between the two. Additional investigative staff will be hired for oversight, and the new panel would prepare the classified section to the annual Defense Department appropriations bill that covers much of the annual intelligence budget.

Ms. Pelosi intends to announce her plan today, and while details were still being worked out last evening, Democrats hope to institute the changes quickly in the new Congress, perhaps as part of a House rules package that will be considered when lawmakers convene next month.

"It is a breakthrough," Ms. Pelosi, who has served on both the Intelligence and Appropriations panels. "I come from both worlds. ... I do think there needs to be closer cooperation between Intel and Appropriations."...

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB116606773052849898-1b4KMZQIlXauk7toZ8PsJVI_5Eo_20071214.html?mod=blogs

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Get 'em by funding

cuts unless they behave--way to go!

[bobbie]

2. Good for Pelosi, that should be a top top priority

However, that's what got Congressman Leo Ryan killed. Reference" Hughes-Ryan Ammendment.

[redqueen]

3. It's a good start! n/t

[NeedleCast]

4. Good! Needs to be Done!

I worked in the intel community for eight years, five with the military and three as a civilian and the way the various agencies bicker over money was appaling. Lots of agencies refuse to cooperate together because of the ever present fear that if they let someone else put a hand in their cookie jar, they'd lose funding to that other agency. Hopefully, but putting a system in place that prevents agency back-biting, we'll be able to see agencies cooperate across the board. Were I in charge of this, there would be only one pool of money from which the agencies were allowed to draw.

[rodeodance]

5. AP Pelosi announces intelligence plans

nice photo of her on the web page also.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061214/ap_on_go_co/congress_intelligence

Pelosi announces intelligence plans

By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer Thu Dec 14, 11:19 AM ET

WASHINGTON - Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she will create a new congressional panel to examine the administration's intelligence budget and to make sure the money is being spent properly.


Creating the panel, Pelosi said at a news conference, "makes oversight stronger and makes the American people safer."

Democrats have been highly critical of the conduct of intelligence agencies in the days before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Pelosi, D-Calif., also said that one of the first tasks of the Democratic-controlled House she will lead beginning in January will be approving the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, including taking steps to make intelligence decisions more transparent.

The Select Intelligence Oversight Panel proposed by Pelosi would be made up by members of the Appropriations Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence, and would work within the Appropriations Committee..........

[longship]

6. The best intelligence plan of all.

Get rid of Bush and Cheney and replace them with somebody with intelligence.

[Leilani]

7. Intelligence Plans?

How about appointing as Chair to the Intelligence Committee, someone who knows what Hezbollah is, & has a clue about Sunni/Shia?

[rock]

8. bush* has been spending money on intelligence???

I see no evidence of that.

[Quantess]

9. Intelligence is as intellegence does.

:dunce:

[sam sarrha]

11. cant have spent much ..his IQ is 90

[EVDebs]

10. Disband the OSP ? nt

[rodeodance]

12. AP Pelosi announces intelligence plans

This thread has been combined with another thread.

Click here to read this message in its new location.