Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016

H.R. 4127, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, authorizes funding and sets policy for the 16 agencies that make up the U.S. Intelligence Community, including the CIA, FBI, and NSA. The bill focuses on strengthening national security by enhancing the vetting process for federal employees with security clearances, requiring more frequent background checks and monitoring of social media to prevent internal threats.

For the average citizen, the bill’s impact is primarily seen in its oversight of government surveillance and cybersecurity. It mandates new reports on foreign fighter threats, requires the government to track how adversaries like Russia and Iran use their resources, and prohibits the use of funds to transfer detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the United States. Additionally, it directs the government to study the impact of major data breaches, such as the 2015 OPM hack, to better protect the personal information of those serving in national security roles.