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Who We Are and
What We Do

Congressional Oversight

The Central Intelligence Agency, like the rest of our government, operates under a series of checks and balances to ensure each branch runs properly. The CIA works together with members of both the Legislative and Executive branches to ensure that the Agency is providing its customers with the information they need when they need it.

The policy makers may be the people who task the CIA to solve the puzzles and answer tough questions, but the business of intelligence is a team effort. As in any task, it is important that both sides work together and understand each other so the job is done well.

On the Legislative side, we work with the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI). These two committees, along with the Foreign Relations, Foreign Affairs, and the Armed Services Committees, are responsible for authorizing the programs of the CIA and other intelligence agencies and overseeing their activities. The CIA also works with the Appropriations Committees, which are authorized by the Constitution to appropriate funds for all US Government activities. The Agency's Office of Congressional Affairs serves as the liaison between Congress and our people, arranging for briefings and ensuring that Congress receives all finished intelligence products.

Index
What Is Intelligence Main Page
What We Do
The People
The Organization
Disguise
Intelligence Cycle
Executive Oversight
Congressional Oversight
CIA Kids Page

Index to CIA Kids Page | What Is Intelligence Main Page | Our Mission | The People | The Organization | Try on a Disguise | The Intelligence Cycle | Congressional Oversight | Executive Oversight | CIA Kids Home Page