House OKs Intelligence Funds, Urges Better Job of Analysis

The House approved funding Wednesday for the CIA and other intelligence groups while admonishing the agencies to do a better job of analyzing the information they collect.

It also demanded more on-the-ground human intelligence gathering and more coordination among agencies in sharing information.

Congress never makes public the budget for the CIA and 11 other intelligence agencies, but it is estimated to be about $30 billion. The funding measure passed by voice vote. The Senate last month agreed to a different version, and lawmakers will next meet to work out differences.

As in past years, debate centered on whether current spending levels are justified in the post-Cold War era. Supporters argued that the growth of terrorism, regional conflicts and the threats from states such as Iraq and North Korea make heightened intelligence gathering crucial.

But Rep. Bernard Sanders, an independent from Vermont, asked whether it was “appropriate to increase funding for an already bloated intelligence budget at exactly the same time that we propose painful cuts” in social programs. He proposed a 5% cut in spending. His amendment was defeated 289-142.

As in past years, lawmakers said there was no compelling reason to keep the overall budget number secret, but an amendment by Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) to disclose the aggregate figure was defeated 237-192.

Of the total budget, only a small percentage goes to the CIA. Much is for agencies such as the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency and the National Reconnaissance Office that operate military satellites and other high-tech spying equipment.