LEGISLATIVE STEPS TO SECURE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION FOR A CIA HEADQUARTERS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86-00244R000100020011-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 8, 2000
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: May 11, 1955
• Content Type: MEMO

OGC HAS REVIEWED.
Approved For Rele 2001/09/03: CIA-RDP86-00244R00Q0020011-2
11 May 1955
Memorandum for: Deputy Director /Support
Subject: .Legislative steps to secure passage of
legislation for a CIA headquarters.
1. The House Armed Services Committee has commenced
hearings on H. R. 5700, the Military Construction bill, of which
the CIA headquarters authorization request is Title IV. They are
commencing with policy statements from the Office of the Secretary
of Defense and other senior officials. I have discussed this mat-
ter with Robert Smart, Counsel to the Committee, who informs
me that they are taking policy testimony from the Office of the
Secretary of Defense and other senior officials, to be followed by
testimony from the Air Force, Army and Navy prior to. reaching
the CIA item. When I talked with Mr. Smart last week he felt
that it would be at least three weeks before the CIA section would
be reached.
2. The Senate Armed Services Committee has now started
hearings on-S. 1765 . the Senate companion bill to I R. 5700, and
are also taking policy testimony to be followed by the Navy and the
other two services before reaching CIA. Mr. Darden, who is the
staff member concerned, informed me today that it would be at
.least three weeks before reaching the CIA item.
3. The entire House Armed Services Committee is cur-
rently considering H. R. 5700, although when the technical justifi-
cations are reached they may break up into service subcommittees.
However, in the Senate the Real Estate and Military -Construction
Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee is hearing
all of the testimony. This is. composed of Sen. Stennis (D, , Miss. )
as Subcommittee Chairman, and includes Senators Jackson (D. ,
Wash.) and Case (R. , S. Dak.) as members,
4. As a general rule the House Appropriations Committee
will not start hearings on the appropriations f9r Q gurtiQ
authorization until the-House has actually passed the authorization
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bill, although occasionally they will take some preliminary testi-
mony in advance. This has not been schuled as of the -present
time. The Defense Appropriations Subcommittee under the Chair>
ii an hip of Mr. Mahon (D.., Tex.) is planning to handle this bill
rather than the Public Works Subcommittee under Mr. Cannon.
In accordance with the suggestion to the Director from Cong. Ford,
it would appear to be advisable for the Director to talk with Mr.
Mahon and Mr. Taber, and possibly Mr. Cannon, in very general
terms in the near future to get their reactions. However, the
Defense Appropriation bill starts Floor debate today and it is
therefore recommended that the Director not approach these
gentlemen until the Defense appropriations have passed the House
later this week.
5. The Senate Appropriations Committee will not start
hearings on the Military Construction appropriations until after
the douse A propriations Committee has startedted theeir earings.
h
Walter L. Pforzheimer
Legislative Counsel
Approved. For Release 2001/09/03 : CIA-RDP86-00244R000100020011-2