Question

Lowenthal (2012) discussed the checks and balances that Congress utilizes in intelligence oversight and its interactions with the executive branch of government. Lowenthal cites the United States Constitution at Article I, Section 8, paragraph 18 as the partial basis supporting their need for information related to intelligence endeavors. In reviewing the readings, what "levers" is Congress able to pull to facilitate their oversight functions?

Answer 1

The levers that facilitate Congress to pull it's oversight functions are as follows :-

1) Budget :-

Congress has control over the federal budget . Article 1 of the Constitution states that " No money shall be drawn from the treasury , without timely publishing of the receipts and expenditures statement. The Congress has two major role in the budget process .

2) Authorisation of specific programmes and activities :-

Authorisers may approve or not approve a certain programme based on the congressial approval as a presiding authority .

3) Appropriating specific Dollar amounts to programmes -

Congress does not appropriate money for a programme that is not first authorised before the congressial session .

4) The Office of Management :-

The OMB monitor agencies , spending rates throughout the fiscal year to ensure that they are not spending either too quickly or too slowly .

5) Supplemental appropriation bills :-

They have complete control over the supplemental appropriation bills that make available to agencies funds over the amount originally planned .

6) Reporting requirements :-

This helps Congress to seek fuller information to make decisions based on more than just the views of executives .

7) Investigation of report :-

Investigation tends to result in reports that summarize findings and offer reccomendations for change , thus serving as an effective tool in exposing shortcomings and drafting new policy directions .