MEMORANDUM OF POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION FOR A JOINT COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP71B00364R000600010018-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 21, 2005
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: January 5, 1953
• Content Type: MEMO

CONTIrFRIA1
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5 January 1953
Memorandum of points to be considered in connection
with a concurrent resolution for a Joint Committee on
National Intelligence.
1. According to the official rules of the House of Repre sen-
tatives, a concurrent resolution rather than a joint resolution is
the proper method for appointing a joint committee. Such a r:-.,o-
lution is not binding on either House until agreed to by both. Since
this proposed resolution would not contain a proposition of legis-
lation, it would not need to be sent to the President for approval.
2. It is important to assure that the resolution provide for
appointment of the Committee members by the President of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House, as otherwise they are appointed
by ballot under Senate Rule 24. Members of the Senate are li-cited
to membership on two standing committees and Members of t _e
House to one, but a Joint Committee is not considered a Standing
Committee and therefore any Congressman would be eligible for
appointment.
3. Normally the member of Congress introducing a resolu-
tion automatically becomes chairman of the committee thereb?I
established. Such resolutions are often co-sponsored in both
Houses, and such action might go a long way in solving the pr->-
blern of friendly committee members. Furthermore, it woule
seem preferable to have this resolution introduced both in the
Senate and in the House by members of both parties. In the Senate
this might be Senator Saltonstall, although he already has a heavy
load as Majority Whip and Armed Services Committee Chairri.in,
or Senator Knowland, who has had a continuing and friendly in-
terest in this field. There are various other possibilities, bu,
it certainly would be highly preferable to have a strong figure as
Chairman. In the House, Mr. Wigglesworth might be excellent
if he is not too busy, Mr. Vorys, or one of the younger repre,-.en-
tatives such as Hugh Scott or Mr. Ford of Michigan, a junior rem-
ber of the Appropriations Committee, who might be able to give it
more time and who seems in a position to give some continuity on
the House side. Again, there are many other possibilities.
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 4. There are certain Members of Congress whom we pr:?fer
not to have on this Joint Committee such as Mr. Fred Busbey, of
Illinois, who has certain strong antagonistic views to some the 'ries
applying to CIA and might well wish to get on the Committee. Jc
is probably powerful enough to be selected if he is given the oppor-
tunity to apply. The means for handling such a situation depend on
how the resolution is initiated. If initiated by the Executive Branch,
it would be clearly preferable to have the incoming President call
in the majority leaders and get their backing for the resolution and
make appropriate arrangements for committee membership. If
the resolution is to be initiated in the Congress, again the initiaor
should first discuss the practical details with the majority leasers
prior to public discussion of the concurrent resolution.
5. If the Joint Committee for CIA is established, it in no
way eliminates the necessity under the present practices of gong
before the appropriate Appropriations Subcommittee each year for
funds. If funds are to be kept in the Defense Department Appr I)-
riations, this would be the Armed Services Subcommittee. One of
the first tasks of the joint committee might be a study of more
secure methods of providing funds for CIA, such as a general
authorization to acquire funds directly from the Treasury's Bureau
of the Public Debt. This would not, however, obviate review of
the amounts involved by the Appropriations Committees.
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Draft 2 January 1953
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives con-
curring),
(a) That there is hereby established a Joint Committee in
National Intelligence, to be composed of five Members of the Senate
to be appointed by the President of the Senate, and five Member s
of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of
the House of Representatives. In each instance not more than
three Members shall be members of the same political party.
(b) The Joint Committee shall make continuing studies cf
the problems relating to the coordination of the intelligence actin-_-
ties of the several Government departments and agencies in the
interest of national security. The Central Intelligence Agency
shall keep the Joint Committee fully and currently informed with
respect to the Central Intelligence Agency's responsibilities and
functions under Section 102 of the National Security Act of 1947.
All bills, resolutions, and other matters in the Senate or the Ho?tse
of Representatives relating primarily to the Central Intelligence
Agency or its statutory responsibilities shall be referred to the
Joint Committee. The members of the Joint Committee who are
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Members of the Senate shall from time to time report to the Se -.ate,
and the members of the Joint Committee who are Members of the
House of Representatives shall from time to time report to the
House, by bill or otherwise, their recommendations with respect
to matters within the jurisdiction of their respective Houses which
are (1) referred to the Joint Committee or (2) otherwise within :he
jurisdiction of the Joint Committee.
(c) Vacancies in the membership of the Joint Committee
shall not affect the power of the remaining members to execute the
functions of the Joint Committee, and shall be filled in the same
manner as in the case of the original selection. The Joint Committee
shall select a chairman and a vice chairman from among its me -nbers.
(d) The Joint Committee, or any duly authorized subcorr
mittee thereof, is authorized to hold such hearings, to sit and act
at such places and times, to require, by subpena or otherwise, the
attendance of such witnesses and the production of such books,
papers, and documents, to administer such oaths, to take such
testimony, to procure such printing and binding, and to make such
expenditures as it deems advisable. The cost of stenographic se r-
vices to report such hearings shall not be in excess of 25 cents
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per hundred words. The provisions of sections 102 to 104, inc usive,
of the Revised Statutes shall apply in case of any failure of any
witness to comply with a subpena or to testify when summoned
under authority of this section.
(e) The Joint Committee is empowered to appoint and fix
the compensation of such experts, consultants, technicians, and
clerical and stenographic assistants as it deems necessary and
advisable, but the compensation so fixed shall not exceed the ccrz-
pensation prescribed under the Classification Act of 1923, as
amended, for comparable duties. The committee is authorized
to utilize the services, information, facilities, and personnel of
the departments and establishments of the Government.
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FORM
BHP. 1147 30_4 1"3794-1 U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
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(SENDER WILL CIRCLE CLASSIFICA TOP AND BOTTOM)
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
TO
INITIALS
DATE
1
General Counsel
2
3
4
5
FROM
INITIALS
DATE
Ass
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APPROVAL
0 INFORMATION L] SIGNATURE
ACTION
DIRECT REPLY RETURN
COMMENT
PREPARATION OF REPLY E DISPATCH
CONCURRENCE
RECOMMENDATION FILE
REMARKS:
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Mr. D:,1_ic-o ?
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