Mike Levin: “I was also troubled to find out that White House staff was actually present in the room during staff negotiations of…”

“I was also troubled to find out that White House staff was actually present in the room during staff negotiations of these issues. It is my understanding that the White House objected to the Congressional oversight provisions during those discussions. I know these Senate provisions were strongly supported by both the Senator from Maine and the Senator from Connecticut. I know how difficult those discussions were and I appreciate that support very much. It was not a lack of trying on their part which led to the exclusion of these provisions. It was the opposition of the White House carried by House Republicans. In the final negotiations leading up to the November 20 draft conference agreement, I even offered what I know the managers agreed was a reasonable compromise that would have simply required that the DNI report to Congress the status of outstanding requests for intelligence information from committee chairmen and ranking members. It is my understanding that the House Republicans and the White House opposed even that language. The record should be clear on this matter if we are to carry on the battle for stronger Congressional oversight, which is so essential. Other provisions directed at the production of independent, objective intelligence were also included in the Senate-passed bill but were dropped from this conference report.”