Intelligence Authorization Acts: Their Impact on the Intelligence Community

Abstract

Intelligence Authorization Acts (IAAs), generally passed annually since the late 1970s, are an important tool for Congress to influence the direction of the Intelligence Community (IC). They direct the organizing or reorganizing of IC elements, assign or reassign functions, grant or repeal authorities, prohibit certain actions, establish priorities, require the delivery of reports or briefings, call for notifications, authorize the appropriation of funds, or specify many other activities to improve the effectiveness of U.S. intelligence. This article provides a survey of the IAAs since they were first enacted, highlights key direction to the IC, and shows that they were usually enacted in response to national security issues arising at the time. It also identifies important trends and concludes with a look at the future of IAAs.