House Passes FY2010 Intelligence Authorization Bill

Five months into FY2010, the House finally passed the FY2010 Intelligence Authorization bill (H.R. 2701). It was scheduled for floor action last summer, but pulled from consideration because of a threatened presidential veto over who in Congress must be briefed on the most sensitive classified issues.

A compromise was reached and the bill passed through the House Rules Committee last week although a political battle later ensued over language that was added during that process that would have set criminal penalties for CIA interrogators and others who use cruel or inhuman methods. Opponents prevailed and the bill went back to the Rules Committee to have that provision removed. The bill then returned to the floor and was passed Friday morning.

Among other things, the intelligence authorization bill authorizes activities of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), which builds and operates the nation’s spy satellites.