October 15, 1984
I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 5164, the Central Intelligence Agency Information Act. It
represents an initial effort toward needed reform of Freedom of Information Act requirements.
Under its provisions, the Central Intelligence Agency will avoid timeconsuming review of certain
operational files, which must in any case remain classified to protect intelligence sources and
methods, and will devote its resources to expedited review of other information requests.
Moreover, this law assures the public of continued access to information that is releasable.
This represents a small but important first step, accomplished in large part because of bipartisan
cooperation in both houses. We are especially indebted to the leadership of Senators Goldwater
and Moynihan and Representatives Boland and Robinson. I anticipate that in the future such relief
will be expanded in scope. And I expect that it will become available to other agencies involved in
intelligence, who also must protect their sources and methods and who likewise wish to avoid
unnecessary and expensive paperwork.
Note: As enacted, H.R. 5164 is Public Law 98 - 477, approved October 15.