Crow, Wenstrup Introduce Bipartisan Oversight Measures on Security Situation in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON – Representatives Jason Crow (D-CO-06) and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH-02), members of the US House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, introduce new measures to ensure ongoing oversight of the security situation in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan Security through Intelligence Act requires the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to produce a report on the security situation in Afghanistan and present its findings to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.

"We must be vigilant about terrorist acts and security threats on the ground in Afghanistan and throughout the world," said Congressman Jason Crow. "I'm proud to work on a bipartisan basis with Congressman Wenstrup to strengthen congressional oversight and ensure that we understand the threats and can respond to them to keep the American people and homeland secure."

This legislation specifically:

• Requires DNI to produce a National Intelligence Estimate on the situation in Afghanistan and the region that includes:
  • Any increased threat to the homeland
  • Political composition and sustainability of the governing body of Afghanistan and U.S. ability to influence its policies
  • Effect on the region and Europe of refugees fleeing Afghanistan
  • Commitments and actions of the Taliban related to counterterrorism
  • The presence of China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and any other foreign country and an assessment of the potential risks, or benefits, of any such presence, contributions, or relations.

• Requires DNI report to intelligence committees on the collection posture of the intelligence community in Afghanistan and the region including:
  • A detailed description of the collection posture of the intelligence community with respect to Afghanistan.
  • The countering of terrorism threats that are directed at the United States homeland or United States entities abroad.
  • The finances of the Taliban, including financial contributions to the Taliban from foreign countries
  • The detection, and prevention of, any increased threat to the United States homeland or United States entities abroad as a result of the withdrawal of the Armed Forces from Afghanistan.
  • A detailed description of any plans, strategies, or efforts to improve the collection posture
  • An assessment of the effect of publicly documenting abuses engaged in by the Taliban
  • An assessment of the relationship between the intelligence community and countries in the covered region
  • The ability of the intelligence community to use the airspace in the region.

See full bill text here.

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