House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is the primary House panel responsible for overseeing the U.S. Intelligence Community. Its jurisdiction covers 17 federal agencies and departments involved in intelligence gathering and analysis, including the CIA, NSA, FBI, Defense Intelligence Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, and intelligence operations of the military branches and departments of State, Homeland Security, Treasury, and Energy. The committee also authorizes annual funding for intelligence activities and reviews intelligence-related legislation.

Bills referred to the committee follow the standard legislative process. Once assigned, they may be considered by relevant subcommittees—which focus on specific agencies like the CIA and NSA, as well as emerging threats, defense intelligence, and oversight investigations. The full committee then reviews and votes on bills before they can advance to the House floor for consideration by all members.

The committee is led by Chair Rick Crawford (R-AR) and Ranking Member James Himes (D-CT), with 27 total members. Recent activity includes passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Intelligence Authorization Act, which authorizes funding and strengthens congressional oversight of intelligence collection and analysis methods. The committee has also held hearings on global security threats, counterintelligence challenges, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence relevant to national security. Bills under consideration address foreign surveillance authorities, election security, and countering threats from adversaries including China and Iran.