MEETING ON JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS SENATE REPORT LANGUAGE

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP81M00980R000600310004-8
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
K
Document Page Count: 
3
Document Creation Date: 
December 15, 2016
Document Release Date: 
August 13, 2004
Sequence Number: 
4
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
August 31, 1978
Content Type: 
MFR
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PDF icon CIA-RDP81M00980R000600310004-8.pdf207.13 KB
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Approved For Release 2004/08/30: CIA-RDP81 MO 0 OLC-78-2924/2 31 August 1978 MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD SUBJECT: Meeting on Justice Appropriations Senate Report Language 1. A meeting was held at Department of Justice (DOJ) offices in order to discuss the possible affects of and available courses of action to influence language in the Senate report on the Justice Department appropriation bill (copy of relevant section of report attached). 2. In attendance at the meeting were, in addition to others: Mrs. Patricia Wald, Chairperson, Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs, DOJ Mr. James Hoobler, Chief Program Review and Budget Staff, DOJ Mr. Michael Wenk, Program Review and Budget Staff, DOJ Mr. Larry Hammond, Deputy Legal Counsel, DOJ eputy Legislative Counsel, CIA Assistant Legislative Counsel, CIA Mr. Doug o son, Legislative Affairs, FBI Mr. Jim Nolan, Intelligence Division, FBI Mr. O'Malley, Intelligence Division, FBI Four representatives of the State Department 3. In response to a question regarding the legal impact of the report language DOJ representatives stated that they would be in a position to advise the Attorney General that the report language made no change in current law and that its affect was nil. The recommendation, there- fore, of Mr. Hammond's office was to do nothing, both based on the fore- going legal opinion and in light of the fact that his office and State represen- tatives were in the process of writing new, mutally acceptable guidelines for visa procedures; an exercise which would speak directly to the long- standing argument over turf between State and Justice (i. e. FBI) vis-a-vis the denial of visas to and expulsion from the United States of legally excludable aliens. Approved For Release 2004/08/30 : CIA-RDP81 M00980R000600310004-8 Approved For Release 2004/08/30 : CIA-RDP81 M00980R000600310004-8 AT Assistant Legislative ounse AT AT AT 4. Ms. Wald and I thereafter, with assistance from State explained that it was not only the "legal" problem with which we were concerned but rather the overriding political issue. The spectre of a possible cut in next years Justice funds was, from the viewpoint of Justice, the most deleterious possible long term affect of Attorney General non-compliance with the Senate report mandate. CIA representatives explained the serious nature of probable Soviet retaliation for such actions on the part of the U. S. Government. 5. It was finally agreed that one representative each from the DOJ, State, FBI and possibly CIA would meet with Senators Ernest Hollings (D. , S. C.) and Lowell Weicker (R. , Conn.), the promoter and backer respectively of the report language, in order to discuss with them the views of the Executive Branch as well as the possible ramifications of such mandated action should the Congress insist that it be totally enforced. It was patently clear that FBI agreed to go only due to the pressure exerted upon them by Ms. Wald. 6. After the conclusion of the first meeting Messrs. were invited into Mr. Hoobler's office. Mr. Hobbler, backed by Mr. Wenk, explained that this provision was being pushed by the FBI, and, therefore, FBI unlike CIA, Justice and State, felt it to be desirable language and would, if possible, attempt to ensure its continued existence. Mr. Hoobler requested that CIA attend the meeting with the Senators so that any ques- tions relating to affect on CIA could be answered by CIA rather than a surrogate Agency. The Legislative Counsel or his deputy will, therefore, attend the meeting and continue to pay close heed to developments relating to this issue. Distribution: 1 - SE/DDO 1 - PCS/LOC 1 - OGC 1 - OLC Subject 1 - OLC Chrono OLC:MDC:sks:(31 August 78) ST ST Approved For Release 2004/08/30 : CIA-RDP81 M00980R000600310004-8