II. What Distinguishes Congress as a Consumer of Intelligence?
II. What Distinguishes Congress as a Consumer of Intelligence?
Congressional Responsibilities  The Constitution assigns
functions to Congress that are clearly facilitated by access to
intelligence. Among other responsibilities, Congress must
provide "advice and consent" on treaties with other governments,
approve the appointment of ambassadors, declare war, regulate
interstate and foreign commerce, and raise and support the armed
forces. It also must appropriate the funds necessary for the
conduct of the government's business, including support for US
military deployments abroad, development and fielding of weapons
systems, provision of financial assistance to other governments,
and defense of the United States from threats outside its
borders. The legislative power itself can be used to mandate or
curtail defense and foreign policy initiatives by the executive.
Clearly, the information collected and analyzed by intelligence
agencies can have a