Congress is one of the legal arms of government. It contributes significantly to the current government. The primary role of the Congress is to pass laws, which govern the country. In addition, the Congress has a strategic influence on the government. The government cannot under-look its role. This essay will argue that the role of the Congress in strategic intelligence is to oversee the entire functions of the Intelligence Community (IC)
The Proper Role Concerning Strategic Intelligence
Though the Constitution has granted the Executive arm premier authority in handling matters of intelligence, Article One gives the Congress one of the most important roles; oversight 1 . Sadly, the oversight role of Congress is one complex task that requires a clear understanding of the processes involved.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The proper role of Congress in strategic intelligence is to provide oversight. Oversight involves monitoring and indirectly supervising federal agencies, programs, and policies. The authority is articulated in the “implied powers of the Congress” and the “necessary and proper” clause of the US Constitution 2 . It is important to oversee the IC because it ensures national security and checks the potential for abuse of power.
Firstly, the US depends a lot on intelligence to run its government operations especially when it comes to issues relating to foreign policy. In such a case, the Congress plays the vital role of a supervisory body. It supervises the other intelligence agencies within the nation, which report to the Congress 3 . The Congress serves to oversee the functions of the numerous organizations mandated by Congress. Simply, strategic intelligence is defined as the intelligence, which the policymakers greatly need to make policies and military decisions at both the national and international level.
The Congress plays another role in ensuring that the agencies operating under it are funded well for them to function as per the set guidelines 4 . It achieves this through investigating the known and suspected problems. Moreover, after conducting its investigations on various matters, the Congress offers a full report to the House. The role of Congress regarding strategic intelligence matters are implemented through various committees comprising of members specifically chosen and led by a chairperson 5 .
Another role of the Congress is treaty ratification. The Congress has granted the Congress this power. Though part of the treaties is directly associated with intelligence issues, SSCI members are allowed to use the process of treaty ratification to advocate for policies related to national security issues indirectly.
Role in Intelligence Community Budget Appropriation Policies
The role of the Congress in IC budget appropriation includes ensuring that policies are implemented. The congress acts through the Authorization and Appropriation process to ensure that these policies are properly followed. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is the investigative branch of Congress, which focuses on issues related to the budget 6 . This branch of Congress authorizes and appropriates funds for many projects concerning strategic intelligence. As such, the IC must adhere to the set policies for the Congress to approve their budgets. In addition, the Congress ensures compliance through its investigation process. On condition that the Congress suspects failures or abuse of intelligence by the IC, it instigates its investigators. Through these investigations, the Congress establishes the problem areas and initiates the necessary corrective actions.
The Congress has previously responded to intelligence failures and abuses through various committees and commissions, which determine problem areas and appropriate solutions. For instance, in the 70s, the Pike Committees and the Church were responsible for this specific role of the Congress 7 . Recently, the SSCI led extensive investigations regarding the pre-war intelligence concerning Iraq. Through such investigations, the Congress ensures that all government branches follow the policies set because they fear being reprimanded.
GAO is also another way through which the Congress performs its role of ensuring that the policies regarding budgets and funds appropriation are followed. As an investigative arm of the Congress, GAO’s primary focus is on issues and matters concerning the budgets for the Intelligence Community 8 . This body is non-partisan and carries out objectively audits and evaluates all the other agencies involved in the provision of strategic intelligence. Nevertheless, the White House has set security and classification challenges, which limit the power of the GAO to investigate topics related to intelligence.
Role of Congress in national security provision by the executive branch
As an oversight body, Congress ensures that the executive arm of the government implements the people’s will including national security via Congressional Hearings. Normally, Congress invites and at times compels high-ranking members of the executive branch to appear before the Congress. Then, it asks them targeted questions aimed at promoting transparency within the government and ensuring that the IC carries out its functions in an effective way 9 .
Another way that the Congress acts as an oversight body is through nominations. Normally, the President nominates the top individuals of the IC. After this, the Congress is tasked with the responsibility of confirming these nominations. In this way, the Congress ensures that the Executive branch acts according to the people’s will as well as responding to national security interests.
Conclusion
Congress is an important arm of the government. As such, it plays a crucial role in matters of strategic intelligence through its various powers of oversight and policy-making within the government. The role and powers of the Congress in matters concerning intelligence are clearly outlined on the Constitution.
Bibliography
Auerswald, David. P. and Campbell, Colton. C. Congress and the politics of national security . Cambridge University Press. (Cambridge: 2012)
George, Roger. Z. The National Security Enterprise: Navigating the Labyrinth . Georgetown University Press. (Washington: 2011)
King, Kay. Congress and National Security . Council on Foreign Relations. (New York: 2010)
Lowenthal, Mark M. Intelligence: From secrets to policy, Chapter 2 . (CQ Press: 2014)
Zegart, Amy. Eyes on Spies: Congress and the United States Intelligence Community . Hoover Institution Press/Stanford University. (Stanford, CA: 2011)
