Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
Latest action (31 Jul 2020): Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 11 - 8.
What this bill does
H.R. 7856, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, would authorize funding for the fiscal year 2021 operations of U.S. intelligence agencies, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the NSA, the FBI, and other Defense Department and civilian agency intelligence components. Specific dollar amounts are contained in a classified schedule, though the bill sets the Intelligence Community Management Account at $683 million and the CIA Retirement and Disability Fund at $514 million. Beyond funding, the bill contains numerous policy provisions covering whistleblower protections and inspector general independence, oversight of special access programs, new notification requirements when intelligence agencies support domestic law enforcement responses to protests or civil disturbances, notice requirements for activities under presidential emergency action documents, election-security and foreign-influence reporting rules for campaigns, and various required reports on topics such as China, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, pandemics, climate security, and emerging technology.
The bill primarily affects federal intelligence and defense agencies, their personnel, congressional oversight committees, and, through the election-related provisions, federal political campaigns. It also affects whistleblowers and inspectors general within the intelligence community by altering procedures for handling complaints and disclosures.
The bill was introduced in the House on July 30, 2020, by Rep. Adam Schiff, referred to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and reported out of committee on October 30, 2020, after an 11-8 committee vote. It did not receive a floor vote in the 116th Congress; according to the Congressional Research Service, its provisions were later incorporated into other legislation.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
This bill authorizes various intelligence-related activities for FY2021 and contains other related provisions.
The bill's provisions include those
• requiring each intelligence community element to notify Congress before conducting certain activities, including providing support to a government response to a domestic civil disturbance, with some exceptions, or engaging in an activity pursuant to a presidential emergency action document;
• generally prohibiting the intelligence community from awarding a contract for a national security satellite that uses a star tracker not produced in the United States;
• providing for paid leave for a civilian intelligence community employee to address a serious health condition;
• establishing the Office of the Ombudsman for Analytic Objectivity;
• requiring the Department of Homeland Security to establish an intelligence and cybersecurity diversity fellowship program, which may provide an eligible individual with a paid internship or employment offer upon graduation;
Timeline
31 Jul 2020
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 11 - 8.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 7856 do?
- H.R. 7856, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, would authorize funding for the fiscal year 2021 operations of U.S. intelligence agencies, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the NSA, the FBI, and other Defense Department and civilian agency intelligence components. Specific dollar amounts are contained in a classified schedule, though the bill sets the Intelligence Community Management Account at $683 million and the CIA Retirement and Disability Fund at $514 million. Beyond funding, the bill contains numerous policy provisions covering whistleblower protections and inspector general independence, oversight of special access programs, new notification requirements when intelligence agencies support domestic law enforcement responses to protests or civil disturbances, notice requirements for activities under presidential emergency action documents, election-security and foreign-influence reporting rules for campaigns, and various required reports on topics such as China, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, pandemics, climate security, and emerging technology. The bill primarily affects federal intelligence and defense agencies, their personnel, congressional oversight committees, and, through the election-related provisions, federal political campaigns. It also affects whistleblowers and inspectors general within the intelligence community by altering procedures for handling complaints and disclosures. The bill was introduced in the House on July 30, 2020, by Rep. Adam Schiff, referred to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and reported out of committee on October 30, 2020, after an 11-8 committee vote. It did not receive a floor vote in the 116th Congress; according to the Congressional Research Service, its provisions were later incorporated into other legislation.
- Has H.R. 7856 become law?
- Not yet. As of 31 Jul 2020, H.R. 7856 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored H.R. 7856?
- H.R. 7856 was sponsored by Sen. Adam Schiff [D-CA] (Democrat-CA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 7856?
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 11 - 8. (31 Jul 2020).
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