Bush Administration Fails to Brief Congress on Covert Ops

By Scott Horton

In the report attached to the 2008 intelligence authorizations bill, the House Intelligence Committee notes that last year the Bush Administration unlawfully conducted a major covert intelligence operation without delivering the required briefing to Congress.

“The Committee was dismayed at a recent incident wherein the Intelligence Community failed to inform the Congress of a significant covert action activity. This failure to notify Congress constitutes a violation of the National Security Act of 1947.”

“Despite agency explanations that the failure was inadvertent, the Committee is deeply troubled over the fact that such an oversight could occur, whether intentionally or inadvertently.”

Congress responded to this lapse by requiring an inspector general’s audit of covert programs at least once every three years.