CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06467591
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 16, 2019
• Case Number: F-2009-00490
• Publication Date: February 6, 1996

Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C06467591
Central Intelligence Agency
wAshingtomouosce
6 February 1996
MEMORANDUM FOR All EMPLOYEES
SUBJECT: Congressional Notification
In my confirmation hearings I underscored my commitment
to notify the appropriate Congressional committees of
significant intelligence activities. I have reiterated this
commitment on several subsequent occasions, and reaffirmed
its importance to our mission. This is a statutory
obligation that I take very seriously and one that requires
a similar commitment from every employee of this Agency.
The National Security Act of 1947, as amended, imposes
notification requirements on both the President and the
Director of Central Intelligence. The President is required
to ensure that the Intelligence Committees of the Congress
are kept fully and currently informed of the intelligence
activities of the United States, including significant
anticipated intelligence activities and significant
intelligence failures. The Act places a similar obligation
on the Director of Central Intelligence. For all such
notifications, the Act provides for mechanisms to protect
classified information and intelligence sources and methods
from unauthorized disclosures.
Meeting these obligations goes to the heart of our
relationship with the Congress. I expect to be held
accountable on this point by the Congress and by the
President. Neither the President nor I can meet our
obligations without the active awareness and cooperation of
all Agency employees.
Although the general requirement to notify the
appropriate Congressional committees is clearly understood,
past practice has indicated shortcomings in our
understanding of what specific activities or events must be
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C06467591
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C06467591
SUBJECT: Congressional Notification
reported. To reduce any ambiguity, each directorate has now
appointed Congressional focal point officers who are
responsible and accountable for ensuring that components are
aware of and abide by reporting requirements. In addition,
a new Agency regulation (AR 7-2) soon will be issued that
provides uniform standards and written guidance.
In concluding my confirmation remarks on this topic,
I stressed the importance of keeping the Congressional
committees fully and currently informed in order to gain
their confidence and the confidence of the public. I repeat
that message here. We as an Agency have no more important
obligation. We also have an opportunity that we should not
waste and which can be critical to our effectiveness in the
future.
John Deutch
Di tor of Central Intelligence
area,
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C06467591