Defense and Intelligence

The National Defense Strategy and the National Intelligence Strategy are two separate reports that at least one lawmaker would like to see joined into a single document.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) introduced an amendment to the fiscal year 2010 intelligence authorization bill -- still under consideration by the House -- that "would require the (Director of National Intelligence) and Defense Secretary to work together to develop and implement a combined National and Defense Intelligence Strategy in place of the current separate strategies."

Specifically, according to the amendment, the combined strategy should:

(1) encompass a period of three to five years;
(2) incorporate objectives and goals that are measurable, timely and show direct linkage to the national security strategy referred to in section 108;
(3) incorporate and describe the development and time line for an associated implementation plan encompassing both the Military Intelligence Program and the National Intelligence Program; and
(4) address and monitor other programs that may impact the intelligence community.

The amendment calls for the defense secretary and DNI to update the joint strategy "at least every three years" and to submit an annual report on "the progress toward achieving the strategy."

Among the other amendments posted to the House Rules Committee's Web site as of last night include one from Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) that calls on the intelligence community's inspector general "to analyze the problem of over-classification of intelligence," according to a summary posted on the site. The amendment "requires a report to Congress on the importance of protecting sources and methods while providing law enforcement and the public with as much access to information as possible."

Another one from Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) would "require a report to Congress by the Director of National Intelligence on the feasibility and advisability of creating a space intelligence office to manage space-related intelligence assets."

Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO) submitted an amendment that would "require the DNI to report to the congressional intelligence committees on the threat posed by the missile arsenal of to allies and interests of the in the Persian Gulf."