The Top Secret Intelligence Budget for FY2018 (H.R. 3180)

What is H.R. 3180?

(Updated October 5, 2018)

This bill would authorize funding for intelligence activities conducted by the U.S. government, such as by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Director of National Intelligence (DNI) for fiscal year 2018. Aside from the CIA and DNI, the following federal agencies would also receive funding from this bill: the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); the branches of the Dept. of Defense (D)D) that are involved in intelligence activities; intelligence divisions of the State Dept., National Security Agency (NSA), the Treasury Dept., and the Dept. of Justice (DOJ). The bill would make no changes to any surveillance authorities, including those currently set to expire later this year.

Specifics about the total appropriations authorized by this bill are classified, so minimal information is available to the public. The classified information is known as the “Classified Schedule of Authorizations” and has the levels of funding and personnel used by these agencies to carry out operations.

All those classified things aside, there's some information available to the public. We're all allowed to know that a total of $514 million would go to funding the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability system. Employees whose salaries and benefits are paid for by this spending package would be able to see their pay and benefits increase. Additionally, this legislation prohibits any intelligence activity that isn’t authorized by the Constitution or U.S. law.

DNI would be required to provide a report analyzing the most significant Russian influence campaigns directed at foreign elections, if any, during the three year period prior to this bill’s enactment. The report would include the most significant current or planned Russian influence campaigns, if any. DNI would also produce a report in conjunction with the FBI, and the Dept. of Homeland Security about foreign counterintelligence and cybersecurity threats to federal election campaigns. It would also compile a report on Russia’s ability to finance threat activity.

Argument in favor

The intelligence community plays an integral role in ensuring the security of Americans and needs funding to do its job — even if the public can’t know how all of it will be spent.

Argument opposed

Intelligence agencies should provide at least a general outline of how they’re spending taxpayer dollars on classified programs for the sake of transparency.

Impact

People who live in the U.S., federal intelligence agencies, and Congress.

Cost of H.R. 3180

The CBO estimates that enacting the unclassified portions of this bill would cost $520 million over the 2018-2022 period.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) introduced this bill to provide the intelligence community with the resources and authorities it needs to remain capable of protecting and defending the U.S.:

“At a time when our nation faces major national security challenges from terrorist groups as well as nation states, it’s crucial that the Intelligence Community receive all the resources it needs to do its job while Congress has the necessary tools to carry out rigorous oversight of its work. This bill will ensure that our intelligence professionals have the biggest chance of success in thwarting foreign threats.”

Lead cosponsor Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said:

“Our nation faces a diverse and growing array of threats, and it is more important than ever that we provide the intelligence agencies with the resources, authorities and capabilities they need to protect our nation, while also ensuring we protect our privacy and civil liberties. This bill is the product of months of oversight and examination and a bipartisan commitment to the nation's security. I look forward to taking the bill up on the House Floor and to its eventual passage.”

This legislation was passed unanimously by the House Intelligence Committee, whose ranking member — Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) — is the sole cosponsor.

Media:

• House Intelligence Committee Press Release
  
• Section-by-Section
  
• CBO Cost Estimate