Washington, DC – Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), who co-authored the original Senate version of the intelligence reform bill and who are the lead Senate negotiators in the conference on the bill, crafted new legislative language that further addresses the military chain of command issues raised by Congressman Duncan Hunter. The language clarifies the chain of command provision in the conference agreement, while preserving strong budget and other authorities for the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Congressman Duncan Hunter today reportedly has agreed to approve the language written by Senators Collins and Lieberman.
The following is the legislative language written by Senators Collins and Lieberman:
Sec. 1018. PRESIDENTIAL GUIDELINES ON IMPLEMENTATION AND PRESERVATION OF AUTHORITIES
The President shall issue guidelines to ensure the effective implementation and execution within the executive branch of the authorities granted to the Director of National Intelligence by this title and the amendments made by this title, in a manner that respects and does not abrogate the statutory responsibilities of the heads of the departments of the United States Government concerning such departments, including, but not limited to –
(1) the authority of the Director of the Office of the Management and Budget; and
(2) the authority of the principal officers of the executive departments as heads of their respective departments, including, but not limited to, under—
(A) section 199 of the Revised Statutes (22 USC 2651);
(B) title II of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 USC 7131et seq.);
(C) the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956;
(D) section 102(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 USC 112 (a)); and
(E) sections 301 of title 5, 113(b) and 162(b) of title 10, 503 of title 28, and 301(b) of title 31, United States Code.