Congress Closes Defense Intelligence Agency Operational Files
In the days before Christmas recess, Congress balked at extending the Patriot Act because of its broad domestic surveillance provisions.…
In the days before Christmas recess, Congress balked at extending the Patriot Act because of its broad domestic surveillance provisions. But in the same defense spending bill, it authorized the Defense Intelligence Agency to exclude its operational files – information on sources and methods – from any review under the Freedom of Information Act, authority Congress had refused to grant several years ago. However, last minute concerns raised by House members in conference committee negotiations resulted in a two-year sunset provision. The authorization will end Dec. 31, 2007. (12/23/05)