10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Intelligence Committee

The United States Intelligence Committee holds some of the most concerning secrets in the world, which are crucial to maintaining national security. The committee’s work is discreet and just as exciting as any spy movie. Here are ten facts you didn’t know about the Intelligence Committee:

1. Did you know that less than half of the Intelligence Committee’s budget goes towards analyzing foreign adversaries and monitoring terrorist threats? The rest of the funds are spent on supporting the intelligence operations of other government bodies.
2. The Intelligence Committee has thirteen voting members in the Senate and eight voting members in the House of Representatives. These members are appointed by their respective parties and serve for two-year terms.
3. Congress created the first Intelligence Committee in 1976 to prevent intelligence agencies’ abuse of power. The committee conducts extensive oversight of these agencies and ensures that they follow legal and ethical guidelines.
4. The committee reviews classified material in “Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities” or SCIFs. These rooms are soundproof and have no windows or electronic devices because any listening device can interfere with the materials being reviewed.
5. The Intelligence Committee’s meetings are closed-door and confidential, making them one of the few times when lawmakers keep the discussion between their colleagues. This is necessary to keep sensitive information and ongoing investigations as confidential.
6. The Intelligence Committee’s most notable investigation was into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. The investigation lasted more than two years and produced a report that showed a systematic effort to interfere in the election.
7. The Intelligence Committee frequently issues reports on significant events and issues, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the CIA’s Enhanced Interrogation Techniques, and current cybersecurity threats.
8. The committee works closely with intelligence agencies like the CIA, NSA, and FBI to ensure that their actions align with congressional priorities and the national interest.
9. The Intelligence Committee’s members have top-secret security clearance, and they must undergo intense background checks before their appointment.
10. The Intelligence Committee’s primary focus is on protecting the United States’ national security, but it also deals with economic espionage, cyber threats, counterintelligence, and foreign intelligence activity.

In summary, the Intelligence Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring the national security of the United States. Its top-secret operations may be shrouded in secrecy, but their work is essential to keeping the country safe from foreign adversaries and threats. The committee’s investigations into significant events and issues provide valuable insights into current issues, and its oversight ensures that intelligence agencies operate within legal and ethical guidelines.