# Can the leadership of the Congressional intelligence committees get total access?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-leadership-of-the-congressional-intelligence-committees-get-total-access/513706>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 13, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-leadership-of-the-congressional-intelligence-committees-get-total-access/513706 "2009-10-13T21:47:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-leadership-of-the-congressional-intelligence-committees-get-total-access/513706/1 "2009-10-13T21:47:10Z")

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Do the leaders of the House and Senate intelligence committees have clearance for all classified information? Can they request it at any time?

Thanks,  
Rob

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**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-leadership-of-the-congressional-intelligence-committees-get-total-access/513706/2 "2009-10-13T21:53:23Z")

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The National Security Act of 1947 states: “The President shall ensure that the congressional intelligence committees are kept **fully and currently informed** of the intelligence activities of the United States, including any significant anticipated intelligence activity as required by this title.”

ETA: Of course, there is other classified information beyond intelligence. For example, in the 1990s, there was an effort by some congressmen to receive briefings on nuclear war plans. AFIK, the effort was not successful.

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**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-leadership-of-the-congressional-intelligence-committees-get-total-access/513706/3 "2009-10-14T05:14:54Z")

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So, if the committee suspects the Prez is keeping them in the dark, can they go over to the CIA (or, more realistically, call upon the DNI to testify) on a fishing expedition? How hard is it for them to determine if the President is concealing information from them?

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**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-leadership-of-the-congressional-intelligence-committees-get-total-access/513706/4 "2009-10-14T10:13:08Z")

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From a 1997 CIA report on intelligence sharing with Congress:

> [@](#):
>
> There are no written rules, agreed to by both branches, governing what intelligence will be shared with the Hill or how it will be handled. The current system is entirely the product of experience, shaped by the needs and concerns of both branches over the last 20 years. While some aspects of current practice appear to have achieved the status of mutually accepted “policy,” few represent hard-and-fast rules. “Policy” will give way when it has to.
> 
> All Members of Congress have access to intelligence by virtue of their elected positions. They do not receive security clearances per se.
> 
> Congressional staffers who require access to intelligence in connection with their official duties receive security clearances based on background investigations conducted by the FBI. They are not required to take polygraphs. As a general rule, only committee staffers receive clearances; those in Members’ personal offices do not.

[https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/sharing-secrets-with-lawmakers-congress-as-a-user-of-intelligence/toc.htm](https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/sharing-secrets-with-lawmakers-congress-as-a-user-of-intelligence/toc.htm)

Also see: [The Agency-and-the-Hill: CIA’s Relationship with Congress, 1946-2004](https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/agency-and-the-hill/index.html)

Incidentally, congressional requests are handled at CIA by the Office of Congressional Affairs.