BRIEFING OF SENATOR JOHN STENNIS AND SENATOR MARGARET CHASE SMITH RE AGENCY BUDGET- - 14 JULY 1971

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP74B00415R000200020155-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Sequence Number: 155
• Content Type: MEMORANDUM

Approved For Release 2006/07/21 : CIA-RDP74B00415R000200020155-3
CONFIDENTIAL
OLC 71-0651
16 July 1971
SUBJECT: Briefing of Senator John Stennis and Senator Margaret Chase
Smith re Agency Budget- -14 July 1971
1. This afternoon, I accompanied Colonel White and John Clarke
who briefed Senators Stennis and Smith on the Agency budget. Senator
Stennis, who had already heard the Agency's formal budget presentation
as a member of the CIA Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, had requested
the briefing for the benefit of Senator Smith who had not attended the Appro-
priations briefing. During the discussion, both Senators were quite
complimentary and at the conclusion Senator Stennis remarked that he
didn't see how the Agency could accomplish so much with so few people.
Z. Durin the discussion a number of questions were asked about
Laos and this situation was explained to the Senators
3. Both Senators expressed concern over legislation currently
under consideration which would restrict the Agency's role or surface
its activities. They expressed particular concern over our involvement
in Laos and indicated some feeling that the sooner we got out the better.
Senator Stennis commented that "maybe we can help you get out. " They
were interested in the Symington amendment and its impact on the Agency's
role in Laos. Senator Stennis commented that if the Agency is used by
the Administration to circumvent the intent of Congress "sooner or later
you will get caught" and Congress will pass legislation to prevent this in
the future.
4. Both Senators agreed that the covert funding of the Agency is
becoming increasingly difficult in the face of mounting pressure of the
Senate membership to find out more about where Agency funds are buried
CO lf'ICE T AL
MORI/CDF
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COQ FEDENTh L
egislative Counsel
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