Beilenson Named Chairman of House Intelligence Panel

Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Los Angeles) has been named chairman of the sensitive U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for a year by House Speaker Jim Wright.

In announcing the appointment, Wright (D-Tex.) called Beilenson “a very thoughtful, conscientious and highly respected member of the House who will make an outstanding chairman.” Beilenson, a seven-term liberal, is the only San Fernando Valley area representative to chair a committee.

Beilenson can only serve the year remaining of his six-year appointment to the Intelligence Committee. A House rule prohibits members from serving more than six consecutive years on the committee. Beilenson was appointed to the panel in 1984.

“It will be fun and interesting for a year,” Beilenson said Wednesday.

Beilenson’s appointment was interpreted as a maneuver by Wright to install his more conservative ally, Rep. David McCurdy (D-Okla.), as chairman in 1990. McCurdy left the panel in late 1987. Wright announced last week that he is reappointing McCurdy, making him the favorite to replace Beilenson as chairman next year.

“He’ll just be getting his feet wet when he has to leave,” an Intelligence Committee staff member said of Beilenson.

The independent-minded Beilenson was a favorite of former Speaker Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill, who appointed him to Intelligence, but has had a rocky relationship with Wright.

Beilenson will succeed Rep. Louis Stokes (D-Ohio), who served as chairman for two years.

The Intelligence Committee, formed in 1977, oversees the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency and intelligence-related activities of other federal departments. The committee must approve the agencies’ budgets and ensure that they remain within the law.

Beilenson said that these agencies face difficult budgetary choices under the spending constraints imposed by the federal deficit.

Beilenson was also appointed to the House Budget Committee last week.

His 21st District stretches from the northwest San Fernando Valley over the Santa Monica Mountains to the Westside of Los Angeles from West Hollywood to Malibu.