The Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Year 2023, which Congress recently approved as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, includes several provisions authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
The IAA authorizes appropriations for intelligence-related activities of the U.S. government, provides legal authorities and enhances congressional oversight for the U.S. intelligence community. The legislation also authorizes funding for the Intelligence Community Management Account and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, according to the text of the bill. The legislation now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
“The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 will enhance the Intelligence Community’s ability to arm policymakers with the necessary information and tools to defend U.S. interests against foreign adversaries. The legislation bolsters intelligence support for Ukraine, improves the timeliness of the security clearance process, takes a major step forward to promote cybersecurity, and increases congressional oversight of the Intelligence Community,” said Sen. Collins, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
The provisions authored by Sen. Collins include strengthening intelligence support for Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty since Russia’s unprovoked invasion. She also authored provisions to ensure continued support to victims of anomalous health incidents, such as “Havana Syndrome;” to establish cybersecurity minimum standards for classified networks and systems; to maintain strong congressional oversight of intelligence community resources; and to provide support for the National Counterterrorism Center, among others.
The IAA, S. 4503, was sponsored by U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) in July. It was included as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, H.R. 7776, which was approved by the Senate on Dec. 15 by a vote of 83-11.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Mark Warner, Vice Chairman Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, and CIA Director William Burns to implement each of these important initiatives,” Sen. Collins said.