Rubio Welcomes Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Passage of the FY22 Intelligence Authorization Act – Senator Marco Rubio

Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) welcomed the Senate Select Committee on Intelligences passage of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (IAA) with a bipartisan 16-0 vote. The bill authorizes funding, provides legal authorities, and enhances congressional oversight for the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC).Today the Senate Intelligence Committee voted to report legislation that rightly increases Intelligence Community resourcing focused on the threat posed by the Peoples Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party, Vice Chairman Rubio said. The bill also reaffirms the Committees critical role in overseeing of the Intelligence Community through provisions that protect Americans First Amendment rights, ensure expenditures are made judiciously, and hold the intelligence agencies accountable for their activities. In addition, the bill prioritizes the Committees ongoing oversight of Chinas malign influence operations, unidentified aerial phenomena, and importantly, the safety of the men and women of the Intelligence Community, by expressly addressing the likely directed energy attacks that have inflicted brain injuries and the associated symptomology known as the Havana Syndrome, as well as other physical harms, on American personnel around the world.The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 authorizes the funding for Americas intelligence agencies, and ensures they have the resources, personnel and authorities they need to keep our country safe, while operating under vigorous supervision and oversight, Committee Chairman Warner said. The funding and authorities provided in this bill will increase the Intelligence Communitys ability to detect and counter cyber threats, ransomware attacks, and other emerging threats, including those from near-peer adversaries such as China and Russia. This IAA will also reinforce oversight of the IC by strengthening protections for whistleblowers, reforming the security clearance process, and mandating a robust response to reported cases of Havana Syndrome.Background:The IAA for Fiscal Year 2022 ensures that the Intelligence Community can perform its critical mission to protect our country and inform decision makers, while under robust Congressional oversight, including in the following key areas:

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Rubio Welcomes Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Passage of the FY22 Intelligence Authorization Act - Senator Marco Rubio