CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP59-00882R000300240153-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 28, 2001
• Sequence Number: 153
• Publication Date: October 13, 1947
• Content Type: MF

Approved F?elease 2001/08/24: CIA-RDP59-008000300240153-1
OGC HAS REVIEWED. i3 October 1947
.11.8.3 Di3h P?R TI: C.X7a7U TIV2 FOR I F? S
Subject: Conf;ressioral Inquiries
1. be refer to your mmiorandw:i dated 30 Septe ber on
Release of Information to Congress. Faragraph 4(f) of that
merorandun suggests that classified naterial carry an ap-
propriate precautionary notice to preclude further urauthori-
zed dissemination. The two phrases sugc ested were:
(a) This docunent is furnished for use of the
recipient only. Reproduction, quotation, or further
dissemination is not au_thorizerl without specific au-
thority of the Director of Central Intclli:;ence.
(b) This document contains information of :ctir
the national defense of the United States within the
rieaning of the {?apionage Act,, 50 t1SC 31 and 32, as
ariended. Its transmission or the revelation of its
contents in any manner to an unauthorized _)or;son is
prohibited by law.
The c. estion h.ts now arisen whether either of these warniinc~s
would have any effect in view of the Congressman's constitu-
tional immunity from responsibility for his statements. A
review of the law indicates that this immunity is absolute
when the s tatetenta are made on the floor of the House or
Senate and extends to publication of the Congress! - onal 11ecord
or the published hearings cif the Congressional Committee. Under
such circumstances? any warnin' would merely put the 2e? i slafor
on notice with the nature of the information, but in no way
bindir. an such cases, disciplinary action could be taken
only by his follow Congr ossmen.
2. In the case of disclosures made by Congressr:en out-
side of Congress, the immunity would not apply. "embers of
Congress are subject to prosecution in the same tanner as
other private citizens. Consequently, a warning; would be of
real weight in precluding unauthorized disclosures outside
of Corotress.
3. Under the circumstances, it is our feeling that the
foray set forth in (b) above is preferable and more effective.
 Approved Fc*elease 2001/08/24: CIA-RDP59-008> 000300240153-1
Executive for I & 3 -2?? 13 October 1947
In any case, we have in our experience in the past found that
such a statement printed or stamped noticeably on documents
going outside the Agency was noticeably effective in the care-
ful handling of infor-atton by the recipient.
T, a
General Counsel