The Creation of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency: Congress's Role as Overseer

Abstract

Abstract : The present monograph may be characterized as a case study of Congress's role as overseer of the U.S. Intelligence Community. A case study can follow an intelligence issue in Congress, offering a perspective illustrate the human dynamics of the decisionmaking process. Thus, a case study offers the advantage of depth and detail, but only one case does not provide a basis for generalization. Unfortunately, in-depth case studies of congressional decisionmaking on intelligence issues are too few offer a theoretical context for this decisionmaking. The case study presented here illustrates the combination of personality and process that resulted in the establishment of NIMA in 1996. It highlights the role of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees and how those committees interact with other committees most specifically the Armed Services Committees. It augments the few good sources that exist on this very narrow subject. Any generalizations based on this one case should be made with care. It is important recognize the fact that congressional members and staffers take their oversight responsibilities very seriously. The creation of NIMA was an executive branch proposal that was scrutinized from every angle on the Hill. The concerns of a myriad of interested parties were all funneled into 13 different congressional committees. The beauty of Congress is its ability weigh the merits of a host of special interests in a way that satisfies a majority of its members and hopefully results in good public policy. In its role as overseer it must be skeptical, demanding justification for each and every proposal. To continue its role as overseer, stay a part of the process, to have a seat at the table, congressional committees must have jurisdiction over an executive branch agency or program. As may be seen in this case, jurisdictional concerns were paramount largely because Members sincerely wanted play a part in guiding NIMA's evolution over time.