The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence recently reported on and placed on the Senate calendar an intelligence funding bill that includes multiple provisions co-authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
The committee on July 17 voted 15-2 to advance the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, S. 2342, which authorizes funding, provides legal authorities, and enhances congressional oversight for the U.S. Intelligence Community. The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
“The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 is critical for the Intelligence Community to defend U.S. interests and to arm policy and decision makers with critical information,” Sen. Collins said. “This bipartisan bill would also build upon the effectiveness of the security clearance process, strengthen cybersecurity, and increase congressional oversight of the Intelligence Community.”
According to her staff, the provisions co-authored by Sen. Collins addressed several issues, such as amending the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require improvement to the security of the nation’s voting and election systems through cybersecurity penetration testing and accreditation.
Sen. Collins co-authored the provision with U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. It was originally introduced as the Strengthening and Enhancing Cybersecurity by Using Research, Education, Information, and Technology (SECURE IT) Act in the FY 2024 and FY 2025 IAA.
Another provision led by Sen. Collins included in S. 2342 would ensure continued support for victims of anomalous health incidents (AHIs) by mandating that the Intelligence Community support U.S. Department of Defense AHI medical research, along with requiring that standard AHI reporting guidelines be issued.
Sen. Collins cosponsored the provision alongside Sen. Warner and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
Lastly, Sen. Collins’ provision to extend through 2035 the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 also made it into S. 2342. She cosponsored the provision with Sen. Warner and U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD).