Pine State News

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, announced that the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 unanimously passed the committee by a 17-0 vote included multiple provisions authored by Senator Collins. The bill authorizes funding, provides legal authorities, and enhances congressional oversight for the U.S. Intelligence Community.

 “The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 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 bipartisan bill improves the timeliness of the security clearance process, and increases congressional oversight of the Intelligence Community,” said Senator Collins.

The provisions authored by Senator Collins address the following issues:

• Establishes a reform framework for our Federal Government’s classification system through updating classification authorities, labeling, training and declassification processes and procedures.  This provision was co-authored with Senator Cornyn.
• Requires improvement to the security of our voting and election systems by requiring cyber penetration testing and accreditation.  This amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002.  This provision was co-authored with Chairman Warner, and was originally introduced as the SECURE IT Act (“Strengthening and Enhancing Cybersecurity by Using Research, Education, Information, and Technology” Act). 
• Driving continual improvements and accountability to the security clearance process by requiring new technologies to share clearance information for personnel vetting.  This provision was co-authored with Chairman Warner. (Section 701)
• Requiring a timeliness standard for rendering determinations of trust for personnel vetting, along with an annual report on personnel vetting trust determinations.  This provision was also co-authored with Chairman Warner. (Sections 702 and 703) 
• To best understand and oversee Trusted Workforce 2.0 developments, the IAA requires a survey which includes all government agencies and departments, along with cleared private industry.  (Section 704)
• Concerning Anomalous Health Incidents (AHI) and the critical support needed for continual care, establishes further authorities to support the HAVANA Act of 2021 and intelligence community implementation.  Additionally, adds requirements to report and brief congress on incidents.  (Sections 801, 803 and 804). 
• Clarification of requirements to seek certain benefits relating to injuries to the brain.  (Section 802)

Original source can be found here.