Statement on Signing the
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987
I
am pleased to sign into law H.R. 4759, the Intelligence Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 1987. This act represents another significant step forward in our
effort to improve our foreign intelligence and counterintelligence
capabilities. It is essential that we authorize sufficient appropriations and
provide adequate authorities to enable our intelligence agencies to undertake
effectively their vital mission. In this era of budget stringency, the Congress
found it necessary to reduce the amounts I requested for our nation's foreign
intelligence program. Despite these reductions, I am pleased that the Congress
did not impose further cuts that would have seriously jeopardized the
intelligence community's ability to deal with the increasingly complex and
diverse challenges facing it.
I
am particularly pleased with the provisions contained in title IV of the act,
which enhance the counterintelligence authorities of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and the Department of Defense. These new authorities will enable
us to detect and apprehend those who would betray our country for personal gain
and improve the security of the country against hostile intelligence threats.
I
am concerned, however, about the amendment of the National Security Act of 1947
to require that the House and Senate Intelligence Committees be notified of a
transfer of defense articles and services in excess of $1 million. The scope of
such notifications should be governed by appropriate agreement between the
intelligence community and the intelligence committees of the Congress. Once an
agreement has been reached, I hope that this amendment to the National Security
Act of 1947 will be repealed. I also view those provisions of the bill that set
forth the policy of the Congress as advisory and not binding on me as
President. Despite these concerns, I believe that this legislation as a whole
represents another positive step toward fulfilling our commitment to strengthen
our nation's foreign intelligence capabilities.
Note: H.R. 4759, approved
October 27, was assigned Public Law No. 99 - 569.