House passes Intelligence Authorization Act

On May 3, the House of Representatives passed the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Year 2017. The bill ensures that the programs and activities of the U.S. intelligence community are authorized by law, fully resourced, and subject to rigorous congressional oversight.

The IAA provides urgent funds and authorities to help thwart potential attacks and deny these terrorists safe haven in Iraq, Syria, North Africa, and elsewhere.The bill also provides the means to counter significant threats from nation-state actors, and bolsters counterproliferation and counterintelligence capabilities.

The IAA also establishes within the executive branch an interagency committee to counter Russian activities to influence the U.S., like the interference with the 2016 presidential election. The committee will include representative from various U.S. departments and government entities, including the Director of National Intelligence, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Departments of State and Defense.

For more information on the IAA, please follow the links below.
House of Representatives Passes Intelligence Authorization Bill, U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
New Interagency Committee Would Counter Russian Activities, Associated Press