WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) yesterday voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2023 Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) in the House Intelligence Committee. The authorized funding will support initiatives to improve the Intelligence Community’s (IC) programs and capacity, and ensure that the United States remains geopolitically competitive. The IAA also focuses on fostering a talented and diverse IC workforce through increased training and recruitment programs. The measure was passed through a bipartisan vote, and now heads to the House floor for final passage.
“The violent and unprovoked invasion in Ukraine is a forceful reminder of the threats our country is facing globally,” said Rep. Himes. “As we continue to combat Putin’s authoritarian regime, and to monitor China and our other international adversaries, we must ensure that the Intelligence Community has the necessary access and resources to protect our national security. The Intelligence Authorization Act is the critical investment we need to be able to anticipate and counter future global crises.”
This bill contains several provisions to enhance the IC's ability to work with and incorporate emerging technology companies including:
- Allowing emerging small and medium-sized companies to enter into creative and flexible agreements with the IC
- Creating an Office of Commercial Integration to encourage small and medium-sized companies to do business with the IC
- Developing common protocols to streamline IT system accreditation on IC and Department of Defense (DOD) networks
- Ensuring IC contracting officers prioritize commercial products to meet government needs
“For too long, small and medium-sized emerging technology companies that want to do business with the Intelligence Community have been sidelined in favor of larger contractors,” said Chairman Schiff. “This year’s bipartisan IAA will help correct that imbalance by breaking down some of the administrative barriers preventing smaller technology companies, who often represent the cutting edge of technology, from competing for IC contracts. When these provisions become law, it will help the IC stay ahead of our adversaries in utilizing emerging technology, while providing greater value to taxpayers. I’m grateful to Congressman Himes and Congresswoman Speier for their leadership as Chairs of HPSCI’s STAR Subcommittee in prioritizing this important issue.”
The FY23 IAA advances several additional priorities advocated for by Rep. Himes, including provisions to:
- Crack down on spyware, by providing authority for the Director of National Intelligence to bar any contract with foreign commercial surveillance firms, and authorizing the President to put in place sanctions on foreign commercial spyware firms that target Americans.
- Notify Congress of the deployment of containerized missile systems, as recommended by the Container Missile Notification Act introduced by Reps. Himes and Fallon earlier this month.
The full text of the legislation can be found here.
For more information, contact Nora Kohli at Nora.Kohli@mail.house.gov
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Congressman Jim Himes represents Connecticut’s 4th District, which includes the communities of Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Oxford, Redding, Ridgefield, Shelton, Stamford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport and Wilton